Wildlife protected during gas scheme

Gas engineers ensured wildlife was protected when they replaced a gas pipe running under a beck at Driffield.

United Utilities is making good progress during £177,000 pipeline improvements in the town.

The company runs the gas network in Yorkshire on behalf of Northern Gas Networks.

Work began in Exchange Street on January 9 and is expected to last around five months.

Gas engineers are delighted that the most complicated part of the scheme – replacing a gas pipe under the beck in Exchange Street – has now been completed.

United Utilities worked very closely with the Environment Agency during the complex operation which involved creating a dam and diverting water through an overflow pipe.

The beck is frequented by trout and engineers were extremely careful to ensure beck wildlife was protected during the work.

Dean Shepherdson, United Utilities network operations manager, said: “Our engineers were joined by experts from the Environment Agency at all times during this complex operation."

“Engineers created a dam so they could work in the beck and used an overflow pipe to keep water flowing. We are delighted that things went so smoothly.”

Exchange Street will remain closed to through traffic although it will be open to residents and businesses.

Engineers are also working in Eastgate North and there is now no access into this road from Exchange Street.

Access will be maintained for residents and businesses and diversion routes are in operation.

Mr Shepherdson said: “This is a major scheme to improve the gas network in Driffield. Some disruption is unavoidable and we thank traders and residents for bearing with us while work continues.”