Northern Gas Networks (NGN), the gas distributor for the North of England, is carrying out essential work to ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to customers in the Halton area of east Leeds.

The project will begin on Monday 10 August at the junction of Selby Road/Chapel Street area, east of Leeds city centre, and will last for approximately four weeks.

The essential work involves replacing 500m of ageing metal gas main with new, more durable plastic pipes to ensure a safe and reliable supply of gas to customers in the area. The current gas pipework has undergone several recent emergency repairs, so has now been prioritised for urgent replacement.

The project has been planned in collaboration with Leeds City Council.

In order for engineers to carry out the work safely and efficiently, and to protect members of the public, some traffic management measures will be necessary:

• Four-way temporary traffic signals will be in place on Selby Road at the junction of Primrose Lane from Monday 10 August for approximately two weeks. In order to ensure a smooth flow of traffic, these lights will be manually operated throughout the day.
• The works will then progress onto Chapel Street itself, and there will be three-way traffic lights at the junction of Selby Road and Chapel Street.
• It will also be necessary to suspend parking on Irwin Approach and Chapel Street at various stages throughout this essential work.  We know that this will inconvenience local residents and shoppers, so we have made arrangements for alternative parking. Drivers can use the car park at Christ Church Halton while the on-street parking on Irwin Approach and Chapel Street is not available to use. The suspended parking will also be staggered throughout the project to minimise any inconvenience caused.

Brad Metcalf, Site Manager for Northern Gas Networks, said: “We have worked closely with Leeds City Council to plan these essential works and would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused, however it is vital we complete them in order to continue to maintain a safe and reliable gas supply to homes and businesses in Leeds.

“NGN is continuing to carry out essential services whilst observing strict Government guidelines for safe distance working and following health and safety guidance during the Coronavirus outbreak.

“We want to assure members of the public and road users that we will be working hard to complete this scheme as safely and as quickly as possible.”

As well as NGN’s critical service (which include responding to gas emergencies, carrying out emergency repairs and critical maintenance activities) engineers are carrying out work to upgrade critical infrastructure, including planned work to replace ageing metal gas pipes, where most of the work can be carried out safely in the street.

Engineers will only request entry to a customer’s property if it is absolutely necessary in order to ensure their safety, the continuity of a safe gas supply or at a customer’s request. Customers can read more about our Covid Secure Promise at here.

You can find out more about the steps that NGN is taking to keep customers and colleagues safe during the Coronavirus outbreak at www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk

For further information about the work 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.