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DETAILS of the 2022/23 programme to upgrade the North West's oldest gas mains; some of which were installed over 100 years ago; are published, as the Region's gas network continues at pace to prepare for a greener future.

Every year, Cadent replaces around 1.5% its 34,000km North West underground pipe distribution system. These are mostly ageing metallic mains, which are nearing the end of their safe operating lives. It is all part of a bigger programme taking place over 30 years, and which is due to finish in 2032.

Upgrading to plastic ensures a long term safe network and also means keeping everything on track to replace fossil gas with hydrogen. This switch is essential to local plans for meeting energy demands in ways that protect the planet more.

The mains replacement programme confirmed for the year April 2022 to March 2023 includes more than 450,000 metres of gas mains across the North West Region.

This is the same length as more than 4,300 football pitches, or the same height at more than 2,800 Blackpool Towers. It is almost double the distance, as the crow flies, from the middle of Manchester to central London.

For this year alone, that is ₤70m investment in the North West gas mains network, with more than 600 engineers employed to deliver the work.

Metres of pipe to be upgraded in 2022/23, by Local Authority area:-

Wirral = 51153 Manchester = 43801 Sefton = 36234 Stockport = 29074 Liverpool = 28523 Trafford = 26195 Warrington = 23749 Wigan 19528 Halton = 15452 Bolton = 14292 Knowsley = 13715 Vale Royal = 13342 Rochdale = 12639 Bury = 12137 Oldham = 11865 Salford = 11766 Wyre = 10208 Barrow in Furness = 7832 Chorley = 7118 Fylde = 7074	South Ribble =  6798 Lancaster =  5454 Blackburn with Darwen =  5019 Blackpool = 4921 Burnley = 3975 Rossendal = 3687 West Lancashire = 3558 Pendle = 3418 Ellesmere Port and Neston = 3388 Ribble Valley = 3145 Preston = 3066 St Helens = 2675 South Lakeland = 2645 Tameside = 2365 Copeland = 2291 Macclesfield = 2083 Hyndburn = 2059 Chester = 1750 High Peak = 281 Crewe and Nantwich = 249

Cadent works with the local Highways authorities to agree the best and least disruptive timings to carry out these essential upgrades.

Once these start dates have been confirmed, letters are sent to properties impacted or in the vicinity of the work areas, in the weeks that lead up to work starting.

Part of the programme also involves replacing the individual 'service' pipes of 50,000 properties. This involves no extra cost for the customer. Cadent will make all the arrangements and give advance notice of when this will happen.

Craig Horrocks, who heads Cadent's gas mains upgrade work in the Region told us that:- "More than 80% 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. As our older stock reaches the end of its safe working life, we must replace it. We're also excited by the arrival soon of hydrogen to our networks, which is going to be essential to the North West achieving its targets to reduce carbon emissions. In most cases we're able to insert the new pipe into the old one, a technique that reduces the time of each project and means we don't have to dig as much. It also means an end to what often becomes increasingly frequent visits; with associated disruption; to repair faults on the older metallic mains, as they start to show signs of age. We know it's not ideal, but my team is determined to move as quickly as they safely can and get the work done with as little disruption as possible."

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 in to the new main. Everyone is given advance notice of this and customer teams will be available to answer any questions.

Around ₤800m will be invested in the North West's gas network over the next 5 years. This will maintain:- safe, secure supplies to:- homes, Hospitals, Schools, offices and other sites, as well as support the UK's targets to reduce carbon emissions.