Drop-In to Learn About Skipton Gas Plans

Skipton residents are being invited to drop in to a public information evening on August 18th to find out more about a £190,000 gas mains improvement project.

The event, at Soroptimist Meeting Rooms, Otley Street, Skipton will give residents the chance to learn more about a Northern Gas Networks initiative to replace around 1.4km of old metal gas mains with modern plastic pipes. The move will ensure that the town’s gas supply remains safe and reliable for decades to come.

Representatives from United Utilities and Enterprise, who will be carrying out the work on behalf of the region’s gas pipeline owner Northern Gas Networks, will be available to discuss the plans and answer questions from 6pm-7.30pm.

They have worked closely with the council to ensure the project is timed to cause the least disruption – especially when work takes place on Otley Road and Otley Street.

Pipes will be replaced on: Newmarket Street, Alma Terrace, Brougham Street, Court Lane, Long Meadow, Otley Road, Otley Street, Southbank and Sunmoor Drive. Work has already started and is expected to be complete by mid-October.

Phase one is underway and is centred on the Long Meadow area. This phase benefits a mainly residential area and is not expected to cause any disruption to traffic.

Phase two is expected to take around five weeks to complete and will be carried out during the school summer holiday. Work starts on Otley Road between its junctions with Springfields and Newmarket. While engineers are working on this section of the job it will be necessary to put two-way temporary traffic lights in place to allow traffic to pass the works safely. The traffic lights will be moved along the road as work progresses.

When engineers reach the junction with Shortbank Road it will be necessary to put four-way traffic lights in operation.

Phase three is expected to take around seven weeks to complete and will see engineers lay new plastic pipe along Otley Street between its junctions with Bunkers Hill and High Street. It will be necessary to close this section of Otley Street to allow engineers to work safely. This phase is being carried out after the school holidays to avoid disruption to the town during the peak tourist season. Work will start on this section during the second week of September.

Access to Otley Street will be maintained throughout the work for emergency vehicles and wherever possible, by prior agreement, for residents and traders. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.

Area operations manager Tony Thompson said: "This scheme is vital to ensure the safe supply of gas to local homes and businesses. We hope people will take the opportunity to come along to the information evening to learn more about the scheme, why it is needed, and the steps we are taking to reduce disruption to residents and motorists."

Northern Gas Networks’ Director Chris Gorman said: "This year, Northern Gas Networks will invest £63 million renewing gas mains to ensure that our system remains one of the safest in the world. The good news is that our new plastic pipes are more durable and flexible and will last for generations to come."