Gas Company Listens to Skipton and Acts

Northern Gas Networks has postponed the final leg of its gas mains upgrade project in Skipton until the new year.

The decision, to avoid working on Otley Road this year, was reached after residents and traders told the area’s gas pipeline owner about a clash with the Flock to Skipton festival at a recent public meeting.

Representatives from Enterprise and United Utilities held a drop-in session on August 18, on behalf of Northern Gas Networks, where the clash with the up-coming event was highlighted.

United Utilities’ area operations manager Tony Thompson said: “It was immediately clear that this clash presented a problem for the community so we took stock and have found a safe and convenient point at which to halt the work with a view to returning in 2011.

“This is an unusual step on our part and not a decision that has been taken lightly. Our top priority is gas safety and we never take chances - in this instance we were able to postpone the work without any compromise to safety. This is not always possible.

“We do not have a date yet for when work will recommence, but we will plan it carefully and in conjunction with the council to minimise disruption.”

A customer liaison officer will return to the area in the new year to discuss plans to complete the work as soon as a schedule has been agreed with the council’s highways department, which is responsible for co-ordinating all street works.

The project represents a £190k investment in the area’s gas mains by Northern Gas Networks. Around a kilometer of old metal gas mains has already been replaced on: Newmarket Street, Alma Terrace, Brougham Street, Court Lane, Long Meadow, Otley Street, Southbank and Sunmoor Drive. Engineers will return in early 2011 to complete the job.