Main improvements to Pennywell's gas supply

Work on a £300,000 investment by Northern Gas Networks to upgrade part of Sunderland’s gas supply has started.

The gas mains improvement project involves replacing old metal gas mains with modern, more reliable plastic ones. The essential work sees United Utilities working on behalf of the region’s gas pipeline owner, Northern Gas Networks in the Pennywell area of Sunderland. The work will take 10-weeks to complete and will see over 3km of pipe replaced.

The work started on Palmstead Road and will involve excavations in many of the surrounding streets of Pennywell including Portsmouth Road, Portchester Road and Packham Road.

A Northern Gas Networks Customer Liaison Officer will be on site during the work to discuss progress with residents and businesses. Northern Gas Networks apologises for any inconvenience experienced by residents while these essential gas works are carried out.

In the past twelve months, Northern Gas Networks has invested £82 million renewing gas mains to ensure that the gas system remains one of the safest and most reliable in the world. The new plastic pipes are more durable and flexible than old cast iron ones and they have a lifespan of at least 80 years which means that the gas network in the Pennywell area will be much more reliable.

Northern Gas Networks Director, Chris Gorman apologised for any inconvenience caused during the work. “On a project this size, there may be some disruption and we apologise for that. Everything will be done to make sure we keep disruption to an absolute minimum,” he said.