The North of England’s gas distributer, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), is investing around £480,000 to safely dismantle and remove its gas holder tank in Penrith, Cumbria.
The major project is due to begin on Monday 18 July 2016 and will take 20 weeks to complete, carried out in conjunction with specialist partner KDC Contractors Ltd.
For around 100 years gas holders were a vital part of the local gas supply system, responsible for supplying gas to thousands of people across the country. In more recent times, the holders were used to bolster the network’s supplies during colder weather, and at peak times in the early evenings. However, advances in technology and the enhanced capability of the modern-day gas network, mean that gas holders are no longer in use.
Once the holder has been removed, NGN will then backfill the excavation left behind which will take approximately 12 weeks. The entire scheme is expected to be complete by March 2017.
NGN is committed to taking down its gas holders in an environmentally responsible way, by recycling all materials taken away from the site.
Mark Johnson, project lead from NGN’s Major Projects team said: “The decision has been made to dismantle the gas holder at Penrith as it is no longer in use and costly to maintain. We’ll be working with a specialist contractor to carry out the work in a safe and environmentally responsible way.
“We know how important these structures can be to some communities and we’ll be working closely with the local community and stakeholders to give them the opportunity to commemorate the structure as it disappears from the skyline, through hosting art workshops in schools in conjunction with our local community artist.”
NGN will be holding a customer information meeting for anyone with questions about the project on Saturday 16 July 2016, at the Conference Room, Penrith Leisure Centre, Southend Road, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 8JH. The meeting will start at 9.30am, and include a short presentation about how the works will be undertaken.
Afterwards, there will be a chance for customers to speak with the Project Manager and ask questions or discuss any concerns.
NGN is encouraging people to share their memories of the gas holder at Penrith through its ‘Gas Holder Memories’ campaign by emailing gasholdermemories@northerngas.co.uk, using #gasholdermemories on Twitter or Facebook, or in writing to: Northern Gas Networks, 1st Floor, 1 Emperor Way, Doxford International Business Park, Sunderland, SR3 3XR.
NGN is aiming to demolish 23 of the region’s gas holders by 2021 as part of its continued investment in modernising the gas network.
A short film has been made a short film to commemorate NGN’s gas holders as they disappear from the regions skyline. The film is available to watch at: http://www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk/ngn-and-you/environment/cleaner-and-greener/case-studies/
NGN’s major project at Penrith, Cumbria, will be registered as a Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) site.
The CCS is a non-profit independent organisation founded by the construction industry to improve its image. NGN is registering all major projects and larger gas mains replacement sites where work is expected to take more than six weeks to complete with the Scheme.
For further information about the project please visit www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk, contact NGN’s Customer Care team on 0800 040 7766 or email customercare@northerngas.co.uk.
Anyone that smells gas or suspects Carbon Monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
