This weekend Cadent engineers will begin major repairs to gas mains in the City of London.
Over the past few weeks there have been a number of gas escapes in the area, which require repairs to be made to joints on ageing gas mains.
The repairs must be carried out to ensure people in the area continue to enjoy safe and reliable gas supplies. However the task will involve complex engineering challenges as the mains are located deep underground and engineers will need to work at depths of up to five metres (16.4 feet) in places to fix them.
The gas mains were laid at a time when London’s roads were much quieter and the repairs will require engineers to dig in a very busy area. They will also have to work around a labyrinth of pipes and cables belonging to other utilities as well as London Underground tunnels.
Richard Sansom, Cadent Gas Distribution Network Manager, East London, said: We have liaised with Transport for London (TfL) to come up with the best plan to repair the gas mains, while also ensuring any disruption to the public is minimised.
We currently anticipate our work will take a number of weeks to complete but cannot give a more specific timescale due to the complexities of the engineering challenges involved.
The road closures will need to remain in place until repairs in each location are completed and roads surfaces reinstated.
Richard added: People can rest assured that we’re doing all we can to get these repairs completed as soon as possible and with a minimum of disruption to the public.
We’re sorry for any inconvenience people may experience as a result of these essential repairs. This work will help ensure Londoners in the area stay connected to safe and reliable gas supplies for cooking and heating.
If anyone has any questions or concerns about the work they should contact Cadent’s enquiries team on 0345 835 1111 or email [email protected] and quote reference 10402755.
Cadent is the UK’s largest gas distribution network with a 200-year legacy. We are in a unique position to build on strong foundations whilst encouraging the curiosity to think differently and the courage to embrace change. Day to day we continue to operate, maintain and innovate the UK’s largest gas network, transporting gas safely and protecting people in an emergency. Our skilled engineers and specialists remain committed to the communities we serve, working day and night to ensure gas reaches 11 million homes from Cumbria to North London and the Welsh Borders to East Anglia, to keep your energy flowing.
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