The North of England’s gas distributer, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), is investing around £320,000 to upgrade ageing metal gas mains in Nevilles Cross Bank, A690, Durham.

Phase one of the project was successfully completed in April this year and phase two is scheduled to begin as planned on Monday 27 June.

The works are part of NGN’s ongoing replacement of the infrastructure in the region and will involve replacing nearly one kilometre of existing metal gas main with more durable plastic pipes, ensuring the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to customers in the area for years to come.

Phase two, the final part of the scheme, is expected to take around 13 weeks to complete.  The work has been planned to coincide with the school holidays to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum and is due to be finished in September.

The ageing metal gas main has required several emergency repairs in recent years. NGN has prioritised the pipe for replacement this year to minimise any inconvenience caused by future gas leaks.

In order to carry out this essential work safely and efficiently, it will be necessary to introduce various traffic management measures.

Initial works will start on the east side of Nevilles Cross Bank outside of Rhodes Terrace and progress north towards Prospect Terrace. During this time, there will be two-way traffic lights on Nevilles Cross Bank for four weeks.

A lane closure will be implemented and a signed diversion route put in place. The lane closure on Nevilles Cross Bank, from the junction of Homer Terrace will affect traffic travelling south. Motorists will be asked to follow the diversion route which will be via the A167, B6300 Browney Lane, to the junction of East View, which then re-joins the A690.

The lane closure will be in place for approximately six weeks, during which time works will take place on the west side of Nevilles Cross Bank and progress south.

The final weeks of the project will see works progress onto the A167 Darlington Road where there will be two-way traffic lights in place for approximately one week from the A690 junction up to the Enterprise garage.  Works will then progress to the junction of Dalston Crescent, however no traffic management measures will be in place as works will be undertaken in the footpath. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.

Shops and businesses will remain open as usual throughout the duration of the project.

NGN’s Customer Care Officers have door-knocked local homes and businesses to make customers aware of the work and will also use on-site signage to advise motorists of the scheme.

John Richardson, Customer Operations Area Manager at Northern Gas Networks said: “We have worked closely with Durham County Council to plan these works so that the majority takes place during the quieter school holiday period, minimising disruption to motorists and local residents.

“We appreciate customers in this part of Durham have experienced a fair degree of disruption in recent years as a result of repeated repairs to this ageing gas main which is why we have decided to prioritise these pipes for replacement.  The project has been delivered in two phases, but once complete, should not present any further problems.”

“We would like to take this opportunity to apologise to our customers for any inconvenience this essential work may cause and thank them for their patience and understanding.”

NGN’s gas mains replacement project on Nevilles Cross Bank, Durham, 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.

The site will have a detailed inspection in due course by a CCS Monitor who will assess and feedback on factors such as the appearance of the site and the environment.

For further information about the project please 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, seven days a week.