Major engineering to install a new gas pipeline under one of Manchester’s busiest roads – while keeping the road open to traffic – is progressing well.
The team adding an extra mile of pipes, mostly under Ashton Old Road, Openshaw, issued an update on the project today.
Engineers working for Cadent, which manages the city’s gas network, began work on this in April. It is one of its biggest projects this year.
Photographs shared (see attached) by Cadent show huge sections of pipe arriving on site recently, ready to install under the road surface.
Cadent is investing £750,000 to boosts its local network, to meet demand for gas from 13,500 homes, as well as commercial and industrial sites.
And it will meet demand from a power generation site, which uses gas to drive turbines that create electricity.
This project is also a direct response to new developments around Manchester City’s nearby Etihad Stadium. These are close to where existing gas pipelines and pressure stations are currently situated. The new pipes reinforce those.
And the project is future-proofing the gas network – as the big, new polyethylene pipes are capable of safely carrying hydrogen. The introduction of hydrogen is key to local and national targets to reduce carbon emissions to net zero.
The work began on Cornwall Street and then headed around New Smithfield Market. Motorists using Ashton Old Road will have noticed the team move onto this busy road weeks ago, heading in stages in the city-bound lanes.
Working closely with lots of different agencies, Cadent has been able to keep traffic flowing both ways and maintain access to businesses.
Vaclav Franek, who is managing this project for Cadent, said: “This is a big project, and vital for us to ensure gas keep flowing to a wide area of Manchester.
“More than 80% of local homes use gas for heating, and – in this case – it is also needed to create electricity at various times of the year, day and night.
“We started this work on site in April, but there had been months of planning before that. We have worked with lots of stakeholders to reduce disruption.
“So far, everything is going well – we are now moving along Ashton Old Road and making good progress towards the end point, at Clayton Road South.
“Our digital display signs are showing we are around 50 per cent complete, which keeps us ahead of our original timeline. We will aim to keep everyone updated as we move along and appreciate everyone’s patience to date.
“Making this happen with minimal impact to a very busy road does not happen without close collaboration between lots of agencies. From the PGL Pipelines team delivering it, Network Plus and Cadent planning it, and the great support of local agencies such as Manchester City Council, TfGM, GTM, and others.”
