The north of England’s gas distributer Northern Gas Networks (NGN), is donating £1,000 to Corbridge Parish Council to help fund the purchase of four waste collection bins which will be located in and around Corbridge.

NGN has been working in Corbridge since August 2015 replacing ageing metal gas mains with modern plastic equivalents.  The work is part of its ongoing investment in the gas mains infrastructure across the north of England and will ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to customers in the area for years to come.

NGN has been working closely with the local community and in a bid to help encourage volunteers with the regular litter picks that Corbridge Parish Council organise, the company is making the contribution to help keep the village looking clean and tidy.

During the autumn months NGN replaced around 2.8km of ageing gas mains on St Helens Lane, Crofts Avenue, Crofts Close, Crofts Way and Aydon Road with new modern plastic pipes.

This part of the scheme is now complete and engineers are now working to upgrade 1.3km of ageing gas mains in and around Roman Way, Stagshaw Road, Cow Lane and Priory Gardens. This phase of the work is scheduled to be complete by the end of January 2016.

NGN plans to carry out further gas mains improvement works in Newcastle Road later in 2016, once discussions have taken place with the local highways authority and surrounding businesses and residents.

Richie Manuel, construction services area manager from Northern Gas Networks, said: “We’ve been investing heavily in the underground pipe network in the Corbridge area, which is more than 100 years old. The new infrastructure will ensure that our customers continue to benefit from a safe and reliable gas supply for years to come, but we wanted our legacy to extend beyond the pipes that we put in the ground which is why we have worked with the parish council to identify much needed support for the litter picking scheme.

Clerk to the Parish Council, Mandy Senior, said: “The works undertaken have inevitably caused some disruption and local residents were understandably frustrated, especially after the disruption of the gas works on Middle Street in January 2013.  However, I was very impressed with NGN for engaging with us this year and informing us of progress and the regular customer drop in meetings the customer care officers held during the course of the project. We’re delighted that they are supporting our litter picking scheme and helping to keep Corbridge clean and tidy.”

For further information about the essentials works in Corbridge please contact NGN’s Customer Care Team on 0800 040 7766, selecting option 7 or email customercare@northerngas.co.uk

Anyone that smells gas or suspects Carbon Monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.