Cadent will invest £90 million to upgrade around 400 kilometres of ageing gas mains across the North West between April 2026 and March 2027, securing a safe and reliable gas supply for 2.7 million homes and businesses.
Delivered by around 70 skilled engineering teams, the programme will replace some of the region’s oldest gas pipes, many of which are passed their reasonable life span, and some older than iconic North West institutions - like Liverpool Football Club.
Metres of pipe to be upgraded in 2026–27, by local authority area:
| Wirral | 35,000 |
| Liverpool | 21,500 |
| Wigan | 21,000 |
| Manchester | 21,000 |
| Sefton | 20,500 |
| Warrington | 18,000 |
| Halton | 15,500 |
| Stockport | 14,500 |
| West Lancashire | 13,000 |
| Rochdale | 12,500 |
| Trafford | 12,000 |
| Salford | 12,000 |
| Bury | 11,500 |
| Blackpool | 11,000 |
| Bolton | 10,500 |
| Tameside | 10,000 |
| Macclesfield | 9,600 |
| St Helens | 9,500 |
| Wyre | 9,000 |
| Oldham | 8,500 |
| Blackburn with Darwen | 8,000 |
| Vale Royal | 8,000 |
| Chorley | 7,500 |
| South Lakeland | 7,000 |
| Rossendale | 7,000 |
| High Peak | 6,000 |
| South Ribble | 6,000 |
| Ellesmere Port and Neston | 5,500 |
| Knowsley | 5,500 |
| Pendle | 5,000 |
| Fylde | 5,000 |
| Crewe and Nantwich | 5,000 |
| Burnley | 5,000 |
| Ribble Valley | 5,000 |
| Chester | 4,500 |
| Barrow-in-Furness | 4,000 |
| Congleton | 3,500 |
| Lancaster | 3,000 |
| Hyndburn | 3,000 |
| Preston | 3,000 |
Homes, schools, hospitals and other buildings use gas for heat and hot water, some of the region’s biggest industries need it to power production processes, and it is the fuel of choice for rising numbers of HGV fleets.
These upgrades also mean big environmental gains for the region, as it reduces methane emissions and enables a move to more renewable gases like biomethane. This is essential for a cleaner future - the UK will need energy to come from a range of sources to meet demand and be sustainable.
The work is part of a 30-year national gas mains replacement programme, which began in 2002. Each year, Cadent replaces around 1.5 per cent of the 34,000 kilometres of gas pipes that make up the North West network, most of which are located beneath roads and pavements.
Lucy Sterry, Head of Work Management for Cadent in the North West, said: Most homes in the North West rely on gas for heat and hot water, and it’s our responsibility to make sure that supply remains safe and reliable every minute of the year.
In most cases – around 95 per cent of the time – we are able to insert the new plastic pipe into the old metallic one. This technique reduces the duration of each project and means we do not have to dig as much, resulting in less disruption for local communities.
Cadent works closely with local highways authorities and other utility companies to coordinate activity and agree the least disruptive timings. Properties affected by the work receive advance notification, and customer feedback from last year’s programme averaged at more than 9 out of 10.
Gas supplies remain on for most customers throughout the work. In some cases, properties directly connected to a pipe being replaced may experience a temporary interruption of up to 12 hours while they are safely reconnected. Customer teams are on hand to answer questions and support customers, particularly those on the Priority Services Register.
Cadent works with charities and community organisations across the North West to support customers affected by fuel poverty and to provide energy efficiency, income maximisation and gas safety advice.
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The Priority Services Register helps utility companies look after customers who have extra communication, access or safety needs - for example, during a loss of gas incident, a water supply issue or a power cut. It is a completely free service. Find out more and register at cadentgas.com/psr.
Cadent operates four of the UK’s eight gas distribution networks - North West England, West Midlands, Eastern England and North London.
Its North West network stretches from the Lake District to Whitchurch and is home to 34,000 kilometres of distribution pipes (most of them underground) and hundreds of above ground installations. If placed end to end, the amount of pipes would stretch from North West England to Sydney, Australia, and back again.
Around £800m will be invested in the North West’s gas network over the current five-year Ofgem-regulated period. This will maintain safe, secure supplies to homes, hospitals, schools, offices and other sites, as well as support the UK’s targets to reduce carbon emissions and build cleaner, greener energy networks.
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.
Here at Cadent we support the Government’s plans to reach Net Zero by 2050. That means we’re backing the introduction of hydrogen as a low carbon alternative to natural gas for the future. We know people love the controllability of gas and, with our network already in place, it makes sense to switch to the lower carbon alternative offered by hydrogen, which we believe can keep homes and businesses warm for generations to come.
Cadent manages the national gas emergency service free phone line on behalf of the gas industry - 0800 111 999*
Cadent Gas Ltd is owned by a consortium of global investors.
*All calls are recorded and may be monitored.
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