More than 13,000 metres of piping in Cumbria is to be upgraded as part of a £50m upgrade in the county.
Cadent will start today on its programme for 2021/22, which will see 48,5178m of cables upgraded across the north-west.
Its 600 engineers will help prepare the network for the introduction of greener gases as the UK strives to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Every year, Cadent replaces about 300 to 350 miles of its 21,000-mile North West underground pipe distribution system. These are mostly ageing metallic mains nearing the natural end of their safe operating lives.
Upgrading to plastic ensures a long-term safe network and helps get it ready for the introduction of greener gases like hydrogen and biomethane.
The programme confirmed for April 2021 to March 2022 includes 8,328m of piping in Barrow and 5,063m in South Lakeland.
Cadent has been working with highways authorities to agree on the best and least disruptive timings to carry out these essential upgrades.
Details have also been shared with local councils and other groups.
Letters are sent to properties in the vicinity of the work areas in the weeks leading up to start dates.
“More than 80 per cent of homes in the North West rely on gas for central heating and it’s our job to make sure they get it, safely and reliably, every minute of every day of the year,” said Craig Horrocks, who heads Cadent’s gas mains upgrade work in the region.
“We’re also excited by the arrival soon of hydrogen to our networks, a zero-carbon gas at the point of use, as well as low-carbon biomethane, a gas made from waste.
“Both are essential to the UK reaching its goal to have net-zero carbon emissions.
“As our older stock reaches the end of its safe working life, we must replace it.”
Gas remains on throughout the work, although in some cases properties that take a direct feed from the pipe being replaced will lose supply for up to 12 hours, as their building is connected to the new main. Everyone is given advance notice of this and customer teams will be available to answer any questions.
More than 83 per cent of North West households are heated by gas.
Producing only heat and water at point of use, hydrogen is key to the UK’s net-zero future and is set to be introduced at volume in the North West during the 2020s.
