£1.2m Investment in Tyneside's Gas Supplies

Homes and businesses across Tyneside are set for a £1.2 million boost to their gas supplies.

Work has started on four major projects to renew gas mains in North Tyneside, Newcastle and Gateshead. It is being carried out by United Utilities on behalf of the region’s gas pipeline owner Northern Gas Networks.

Around 12 kilometres of old metal mains in and around Canterbury Way in Wideopen, Beckfoot Close in Newcastle, Croftside in Birtley and Rectory Road in Felling are being replaced with modern plastic pipe to ensure the safety and reliability of gas supplies in the region for decades to come.

The work will affect 45 streets and is expected to take until early 2009.

Northern Gas Networks’ Director Chris Gorman said everything possible would be done to keep the inconvenience of the work to a minimum.

“Northern Gas Networks spends more than £60m a year renewing gas mains to make sure its system remains one of the safest in the world. This year alone an extra 530km of its 36,000km network will be made of brand new pipe,” he said.

“The good news is that our new plastic pipes are more durable and flexible and once in the ground will have a lifespan of at least 80 years.”