Page 33 - Gi_March2022

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COMPLETION OF £300,000 PROJECT TO

PROTECT GAS SUPPLY TO A CHESHIRE

VILLAGE IMPACTED BY STORM CHRISTOPH

A MAJOR PROJECT to reroute the gas UK’s waterways, this has been a big
supply to a Cheshire village following a project with many moving parts.
dramatic landslide and tree fall during a And it means Cadent has secured
storm has been completed. supply to this village with little or no
When Storm Christoph battered Britain impact to residents, other than the
a year ago, one consequence was a tree anticipated traffic management needed
uprooting from the banks beside the as the Cadent teams installed the new
Trent and Mersey Canal, near Barnton. pipe. In total, it’s been an investment by
The tree fell on top of a gas pipe and Cadent of over £300,000.
footbridge that crosses the water. “From the teams who responded
In the middle of the night, Cadent, within minutes of the tree falling in
which manages the North West’s gas January to the teams who have now
distribution network, despatched its installed this new main and abandoned
teams to ensure everything was safe. the other, this has genuinely been a
Although there was no damage, there Herculean effort from all,” said Jenny
were concerns about further ground Moten, North West Network Director.
movement, and the impact that could “It shows the spirit, determination and
have on the local gas supply. professionalism of our teams and partner
This pipe supplied gas used in 2,300 agencies to keep our customers safe and
homes in Barnton, for central heating, to keep people warm in their homes. I am
hot water, and cooking. proud of everyone involved in this and
What followed next was a major multi- THE TREE UPROOTED FROM THE BANKS thank all the different agencies for coming
agency operation: to monitor the condition BESIDE THE TRENT AND MERSEY CANAL together to support it.”
of the slope, safely reopen the canal, Dan Mee, Senior Integrity Engineer at
deliver a new route to supply gas into the of agencies including the Canal and Cadent, added: “What we have achieved
village of Barnton and then decommission River Trust, Cheshire West and Chester as a collective over eight months has
the section of pipe over the canal. Council, private landowners and been great. To keep this on track and
Over eight months, Cadent designed, Cadent’s contracted specialists. get it done between winters is a huge
planned and delivered this extensive From using laser scans of the canal achievement. Almost every department
project, installing more than 800 banks to produce geotechnical reports, in Cadent has, in some way or other,
metres of new PE pipe underground, as to constant monitoring and management contributed to this. It has been a project
well as other assets. of the existing pipe, to liaising with with many levels, that’s needed us to
This involved working with a range agencies entrusted with managing the work together to complete.”

ever to keep those households and
families most in need safe and warm.
We and all the other GDNs are extremely
excited to be working with Citizens
Advice, one of the most well-known,
highly regarded, and trusted advice
organisations. We know this partnership
and the support provided by the Energy
Advice Programme is going to make
a huge difference to communities all
across England and Wales.”
Andrew Seager, Executive Director at THE NETWORKS AND CITIZENS
Citizens Advice, said: “We are delighted ADVICE ARE WORKING TOGETHER
to be working collaboratively with the
gas distribution networks in England energy services across the Citizens For more information on how this
and Wales to deliver the Vulnerability Advice network, and it will ensure partnership could help you or someone
and Carbon Monoxide Allowance. This that communities can access reliable you know, visit your local Citizens
new partnership allows us to support carbon monoxide information and Advice. To find a Citizens Advice near
more people needing help through our energy advice.” you, visit citizensadvice.org.uk

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