Northern Gas Networks (NGN), the gas distributor for the North of England, is carrying out essential work to investigate a smell of gas in and around the South Road area of Alnwick, Northumberland.

The smell is being caused by water entering an old abandoned gas main underground and then exiting through drainage in the area.

NGN teams are now safely removing the water from the old main using specialist technology and a tanker. After the water is removed, the team will carry out further investigation work to understand if it will be necessary to dig down to reach the main.

NGN’s Customer Care Team will contact local residents to let them know whether digging in the road will be required, and to answer any queries that they have.

To ensure the safety of colleagues, customers and the community, all of the work is being carried out in the street, following Government guidelines for safe distance working wherever possible. There are also extra safety measures in place to keep everyone safe and ensure that the work is Covid-19 secure.

Richie Manuel, Business Operations Lead for Northern Gas Networks, said: “We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused while we investigate and work to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

“Customers living and working in this part of Alnwick will be updated before any digging work at South Road begins.”

Engineers will only request entry to a customer’s property if it is absolutely necessary in order to ensure their safety, the continuity of a safe gas supply or at a customer’s request. Customers can read more about our Covid Secure Promise at 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.