If you smell gas or are worried about gas safety, call 0800 111 999 at any time of the day or night. Read more

Press Office
0113 322 7950

Out of hours: 0113 322 7978

Stakeholder Relations Team

stakeholder@northerngas.co.uk

Smell Gas?
0800 111 999
Day or night
Non-emergency calls
Customer Care Team
0800 040 7766

Details about the project

Northern Gas Networks is carrying out an essential upgrade to the gas distribution network at Earsdon Road and Fairfield Drive in Whitley Bay.

We’re investing £450,000 to replace 3.5 kilometres of old metal gas main with more durable plastic pipes, in a project that will begin on Monday 17 June, 2019 and last 17 weeks. It’s been planned in close conjunction with North Tyneside Council.

In order for our engineers to carry out the work safely and efficiently, and to protect members of the public, we will need to introduce some temporary traffic management at various stages of the project.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused but this work will ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to the area for the future.

Keep posted to this webpage for updates on the progress of the project.

 

Update

Monday 2nd September, 2019

The works on the roundabout have now been completed and NGN is now in the process of returning the road to normal. All traffic management will be removed at 6am tomorrow (Tuesday 3 September) to allow for Cauldwell Avenue to be reopened.

Works will continue on Earsdon Road towards West Monkseaton Metro station, and temporary traffic lights will still be in use here, while NGN carries out the essential work. It is expected that these works will continue to cause some delays to journey times, so road users are advised to leave extra time for travel while the temporary traffic lights are in place.

The W1a bus route will run as normal from the morning of Tuesday 3 September.

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 road users of the work taking place. Shops and businesses in the area are expected to remain open as usual.

Friday 23rd August, 2019

The project continues to progress, however, following a decision taken between NGN and North Tyneside Council, the road closure on Cauldwell Avenue will remain in place until works at the roundabout at Seatonville Road are completed.

This is to ensure the safety of NGN teams and members of the public.

Both the road closure, and the traffic management at the roundabout, will be removed before the return to school on Tuesday 3rd September.

The W1a bus route will also be restored once the phase at the roundabout is complete.

In the meantime, it’s expected these works will continue to cause some delays to journey times, so motorists are advised to leave extra time for travel whilst the temporary traffic signals and road closure 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, Facebook @northerngasnetworks.

Shops and businesses in the area remain open as usual, and customer drop-in sessions will continue to be held throughout the project.

 

Friday 16th August, 2019

Our gas mains replacement project in Whitley Bay continue to progress as planned and the phase of works at the roundabout are expected to complete by Friday 23 August.

Activity will then move along Earsdon Road for the next stage.

Due to the complexity of the engineering involved in this scheme, the traffic management currently in place means that the W1A bus service has not been able to resume normal service this week, however this will be reviewed early next week.

We’re working closely with North Tyneside Council and local ward councillors to minimise disruption to customers as the works continue.

Alex Brightman, Customer Care Officer site for NGN said: “We would like to thank all road users and residents in the area for their continued patience and support whilst we work to complete this complex project as safely, and quickly as possible.

“To help minimise noise for customers living near the site, we politely ask motorists waiting at the temporary lights after 8pm to consider neighbouring residents and keep music turned down low during this time.”

 

Thursday 8th August, 2019

Works are progressing well on the roundabout between Seatonville Road and Earsdon Road, and our team is now working seven days a week to complete the scheme as quickly as possible.

Thank you to all our customers and the local community for their patience and support while the works continue.

To keep residents and businesses updated on progress, our Customer Care team is hosting a community drop-in session on Wednesday 14th August  between 12pm and 3pm at Woodlawn Primary School, Drumoyne Gardens.

The session will be located in the school reception area, and our Customer Care officer Alex on hand to answer questions.

Meantime, here’s an update from Nexus on the W1A bus service:

Service W1A is currently on diversion due to the emergency road closure at Cauldwell Avenue, West Monkseaton.

The service is operating direct via Seatonville Road, omitting Cauldwell Avenue, Drumoyne Gardens, Newlands Avenue and Burnt House Road.

Passengers are advised to use stops on Earsdon Road (Eastfield Avenue) or Bromley Avenue.

The road closure is expected to remain in place for approximately three weeks.

Service W1A is operated by Go North East on behalf of Nexus.

 

Tuesday 30th July, 2019

Our engineers are busy working on the latest phase of this gas mains replacement project at the Earsdon Road roundabout.

In order to protect our teams and members of the public, we’ve had to close Cauldwell Avenue at the junction of the roundabout on Earsdon Road. The road closure is expected to be in place until Sunday 1st September.

A full signed diversion is in place for motorists, and access to Monkseaton Medical Centre and the free car park can be obtained via the diversion on to Cauldwell Avenue.

Shops and businesses on Seatonville Road are very much open for business during this time, including Hel’s Kitchen sandwich shop, WB Stoves, One Stop (Costcutter), Derek Parkin Hairdressing For Men, The Chippy at Monkseaton, Dukes Butchers and Crowds Hair and Beauty.

Monday 29th July, 2019

After close observation of the traffic at the roundabout with Cauldwell Lane and Earsdon Road, and to ensure the safety of NGN teams and members of the public, Cauldwell Avenue will now be closed at the junction of the roundabout with Earsdon Road from 8am on Tuesday 30 July. 

This closure is expected to be removed in time for the new school term on Monday 2 September.

A full signed diversion will be in place for motorists during this time, and road signs will alert drivers to the changes from Monday 29 July.

Access to Monkseaton medical centre on Cauldwell Avenue will be via the diversion.

Temporary lights will remain in place at the roundabout at the junction of Seatonville Road and Earsdon Road.

 

 

Monday 15th July, 2019

Our project continues to progress well one month in.

So our team can carry out the next phase safely, and to ensure members of the public are protected, we will need to introduce some traffic management.

From Monday 22 July, temporary traffic lights will be in place at the roundabout between Seatonville Road and Earsdon Road, as it will be necessary to partially close some of the roundabout.

As agreed with North Tyneside Council, the works at the roundabout are being carried out during the school holidays, when there is reduced traffic on the roads. This phase is expected to be completed by 1st September.

It’s expected these works 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, Facebook @northerngasnetworks.

Shops and businesses in the area will remain open as usual throughout the project. Customer drop in sessions are being held throughout the works so for updates on these, please keep visiting this page https://www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk/upgrade-to-gas-network-at-earsdon-road-and-fairfield-drive-whitley-bay/

 

Thursday 4th July, 2019

Work is progressing well on our Earsdon Road project, with the new gas main now being laid in front of the shops on Seatonville Road.

This phase should be complete by the end of this week.

Our team will also be holding a customer drop-in session on Monday 8th July, at Langley First School, Drumoyne Gardens NE25 9DL. This is an opportunity for local residents to pop along, meet our team and learn more about the project and why we’re carrying it out.

The session will run between 4-7pm and refreshments will be available.

Monday 17th June, 2019

The North of England’s gas distributer, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), will begin essential works to upgrade the gas distribution network in and around Earsdon Road and Fairfield Drive, Whitley Bay.

The £450,000 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.

To carry out the work safely and efficiently, it will be necessary to implement some temporary traffic management measures in and around Earsdon Road, Seatonville Road and Fairfield Drive.

The entrance onto Fairfield Drive from Earsdon Road will be closed for the duration of the works

NGN carried out an initial project 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 we expect traffic in the area to be lighter than normal.

Works last 17 weeks will start 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.

To minimise impact on motorists, the works on the roundabout will be completed during the school holidays, as agreed with  North Tyneside Council, when there is reduced traffic at peak times.

It’s expected these works 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, Facebook @northerngasnetworks.

Shops and businesses in the area will remain open as usual throughout the project. Customer drop-in sessions will be held throughout the project, so for updates about these and the ongoing works please keep visiting this web-page.

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 Officer Alex Brightman on 07811 970 544 or email abrightman@northerngas.co.uk Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 5pm. Outside these hours, you can speak to our Customer Care team on 0800 040 7766 option 3.

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.

Frequently asked questions

Why do the works have to be done?

Northern Gas Networks is carrying out part of a nationwide infrastructure investment project to replace old metal gas mains with new plastic pipes.

Some of these mains have been in the ground for decades and occasionally require repair. The new, more durable plastic pipes will ensure the gas network is future-proofed for another 100 years.

How are the works planned?

The works are carried out in conjunction with other utility providers and the council’s own engineers.

What if my business suffers because of the works?

It is essential that we maintain the gas network and our engineers work hard to reduce disruption to homes and businesses where we are working. However, there will inevitably be some disruption.

You may qualify for compensation if you are a small business relying on customers being able to visit your premises for your business to carry out normal trade. You must meet certain criteria to make a claim, as set out by the Gas (Streetworks) (Compensation of small businesses) Regulations 1996. You can contact us below or visit our getting in touch page for more information on how to apply.

I’m a home-owner, will my gas supply be affected?

Part of our work on this project will involve laying a new low pressure gas main, to feed a small number of properties.

To carry this out, we will need to temporarily turn off the gas supply for a short time while we connect the services to the new main.

Our team will be doorknocking customers at the affected properties nearer the time, and will ensure we keep any inconvenience to a minimum.

What if I have concerns with the work that is carried out?

You can speak to a member of our on-site team, who will be more than happy to help. If you are not satisfied with their response, please ask for the name and telephone number of the site manager.

How can I give Northern Gas Networks feedback?

We strive to minimise any inconvenience for our customers during our works. If you think we’ve done a good job, we’d love to hear from you. If, however, you feel we have fallen short, and have an issue that you’ve not been able to resolve with our team on-site, please get in touch below or call us on 0800 040 7766 (option 3).

Send us a message

  • For information on how we use your details please read our Personal Data Privacy Notice