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 Ripponden, West Yorkshire.
The ageing metal pipework on Oldham Road is now being replaced by new, more durable plastic pipes, to ensure a safe and reliable supply of gas to customers for many years to come.
The work will start on Monday 4 January 2021 and is expected to last for 12 weeks. It has been planned in collaboration with Calderdale Council.
So that engineers can carry out the work safely and efficiently, and to protect the public, some traffic management measures will be put in place.
Two-way temporary traffic lights will be in place on Oldham Road at the Commercial Industrial Park and will then move towards the junction with Waterside Close where the works will finish. The lights will be manned 7am until 7pm daily throughout the scheme, to help keep the traffic moving. Drivers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys.
Businesses affected by this project have been visited by our Community Care Officer before the start of works, to provide information and answer any queries.
To ensure the safety of colleagues, customers and the community, the majority of the work is being carried out in the street and engineers will follow Government guidelines for safe distance working of at least two metres wherever possible.
There will also be extra safety precautions in place for any work that does need to be done indoors: NGN engineers will wash their hands and use hand sanitiser thoroughly before entering a property; they will maintain a two metre distance and ask the householders to stay in another room while they work, and will wear a face mask and gloves.
Where customers are self-isolating, have symptoms or are at high clinical risk, our engineers will wear full PPE including coveralls and eye protection.
Chris Nevison Business, Operations Lead for Northern Gas Networks, said: “We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused during these essential works. However, it is vital we complete them in order to continue to maintain a safe and reliable gas supply to the residents of Ripponden.
“We want to assure residents 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 continuing to carry 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. While working outside, our engineers will social distance as much as possible.
Customers can read more about our Covid Secure Promise here.
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.
