The North of England’s gas distributer, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), will be starting essential works to upgrade the gas distribution network in and around Earsdon Road and Fairfield Drive, Whitley Bay.
The £450k project is part of NGN’s ongoing investment in the gas infrastructure in the area and involves replacing more than 3.5km of existing metal gas pipes with more durable plastic ones. This will ensure the continued, safe and reliable supply of gas to customers in the area for years to come.
The works have been carefully planned in conjunction with North Tyneside Council in order to minimise any disruption to customers, and are expected to last 17 weeks.
In order for the works to be carried out safely and efficiently, it will be necessary to implement some temporary traffic management measures in and around Earsdon Road, Seatonville Road and Fairfield Drive.
Some initial works were carried out on Earsdon Road earlier this year to replace 400m of gas main, and the remaining phases have been planned to coincide with the school holidays when traffic in the area is expected to be lighter than usual.
Works will begin on Seatonville Road on Monday 17 June, working north up Earsdon Road towards West Monkseaton Metro Station.
From Saturday 20th July there will be temporary traffic lights in place at the roundabout between Seatonville Road and Earsdon Road, as it will be necessary to partially close some of the roundabout.
The works on the roundabout will be completed during the school holidays, as agreed with North Tyneside Council, when there is expected to be reduced traffic on the roads.
It’s expected the traffic management will cause some delays to journey times, so motorists are advised to leave extra time for travel whilst the temporary traffic signals and road closures are in place.
NGN’s Customer Care Officers have been door-knocking local residents and businesses to make customers aware of the project’s latest phase, while on-site signage will advise motorists of the work taking place.
Regular updates will also be available on NGN’s website northerngasnetworks.co.uk, Twitter @NGNgas, and Facebook @northerngasnetworks.
Shops and businesses in the area will remain open as usual throughout the project and customer drop-in sessions will be held throughout the scheme. You can visit NGN’s social media pages for updates on these sessions, and the project itself, at the bespoke project webpage https://www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk/upgrade-to-gas-network-at-earsdon-road-and-fairfield-drive-whitley-bay/
Mick Smith, Site Manager for Northern Gas Networks said: “We have been working closely with North Tyneside Council to carefully plan these works and will be doing all we can to minimise disruption to customers.
“We’d like to apologise for any inconvenience customers may encounter and thank everyone for their support as we work to complete this project as safely and quickly as possible.”
For further information about the project please contact NGN’s Customer Care Team on 0800 040 7766 or email: customercare@northerngas.co.uk.
Anyone that smells gas or suspects carbon monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
