Historic Sunderland Street Receives Gas Upgrade

Caring gas workers carrying out essential gas mains replacements on one of Wearside’s streets will leave no stones unturned in making sure that the city’s historical heritage remains intact.

The work in Foyle Street, Sunderland will be carried out by United Utilities on behalf of the region’s gas pipeline owner Northern Gas Networks for three weeks commencing 3rd August and involves digging up large stone cobbles, some dating back from more than a hundred years ago.

Once removed from the ground, the cobbles will be carefully taken to a secure area where they will be stored as the work progresses.

The work is part of Northern Gas Networks’ £82m a year investment to upgrade and renew gas mains to make sure its system remains one of the safest and most reliable in the world. This year alone an extra 530km of its 37,000km network will be made of brand new pipe.

To allow the work in Foyle Street to be done, it will be necessary to close Borough Road at the junction of Foyle Street. Diversions will be in place throughout the work and United Utilities Customer Liaison Officer Jacqueline Gibson will be on site to discuss the ongoing work with residents and businesses.

Northern Gas Networks’ Director Chris Gorman said everything possible would be done to keep the inconvenience of the work to a minimum. ”This is a beautiful old street with important historic connections, “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.”