Major work starts soon to extend Manchester’s underground gas network by around one mile to meet rising energy demand as the city grows.
Engineers will install the new pipeline mostly under Ashton Old Road, Openshaw, but also some roads leading off it. All stay open, some with narrower lanes.
The project is due to begin on 24 April and should finish towards the end of 2023.
Cadent, which manages the area’s local gas network, is investing £750,000 on this scheme and says it is future-proofing for when hydrogen starts to replace natural gas – something that’s key to plans to achieve ‘net zero’ carbon emissions.
The work is needed now to ensure there is enough gas to heat 13,500 local homes, as well as hundreds of commercial and industrial sites. More gas is also needed for a power generation site, which uses gas to drive turbines that create electricity.
This is also a direct response to new developments happening around Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, which are close to where some existing key gas pipelines and pressure stations are currently situated. Installing this new pipeline allows that growth to happen without impacting the supply of gas relied on by more than 80 per cent of homes in the local area, for central heating and hot water.
The work starts in Cornwall Street, then heads along Press Street, Whitworth Street and Widnes Street (so, around New Smithfield Market), before moving along the A635 Ashton Old Road towards the city – ending in Clayton Lane South. The work will be done in stages, with the team backfilling the road as they go.
Ashton Old Road stays OPEN. The road width will be narrowed, but there is space for vehicles to safely pass both ways. Access to all businesses will be maintained and gas stays ON throughout – there should be no impact to anyone’s gas supply.
Did you know? 1,600 metres is equivalent in length to nearly 16 full-size football pitches. The pipe being installed is 355mm in diameter – or nearly 14 inches. It is made of polyethylene (or ‘PE’), a very tough plastic that will last for generations.
Mark Syers, Head of Cadent’s Investment Planning Office North West, said: “While our bread and butter is distributing gas into people’s homes, where it’s used for heating, hot water and cooking, we also supply power generation sites.
“There are times in the UK when as much as 50 per cent of electricity comes from such gas-powered plants. Our job is to ensure that gas can be carried in the volumes needed, and safely.
“This part of Manchester has seen major growth in recent years, with more planned, so we’re acting to ensure every home heated by gas gets it on demand.
“Installing the new pipe also helps future-proof this part of the network, as it will be capable of safely carrying hydrogen when that starts to arrive in the North West soon. Hydrogen is key to securing our net zero energy future.
“This is major engineering and has been months in the planning, to ensure it will be done safely and by keeping Ashton Old Road open.”
Advance warning signs will soon be in situ, while customer teams have sent out information to properties in the immediate area around the works, as well as started to visit in person, to explain what is happening.
