Northern Gas Networks (NGN), the gas distributor for the North of England, is carrying out essential gas mains replacement work to ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to customers at Wooler Road and Hart Lane, Hartlepool.
The 14-week project involves replacing old metal gas mains with new, more durable plastic pipes and will begin on Monday 5th July, having been planned in conjunction with Hartlepool Borough Council.
To ensure the safety of colleagues, customers and the community, the majority 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.
So engineers can carry out the work safely and efficiently, and to protect the public, some traffic management measures will be put in place at various phases of the work as it progresses along Wooler Road and then Hart Lane, over the next 14 weeks.
From Monday 5th July, three-way temporary traffic lights will be placed on Wooler Road and Serpentine Road between the junctions of Greenbank Court and North Drive.
As work progresses, the three-way lights will move to Tunstall Grove and Serpentine Gardens.
After the work on Wooler Road is completed, engineers will move to Serpentine Gardens where a lane closure will be introduced at the junction with Serpentine Road, as well as three-way traffic lights.
Teams will carry out the next two phases at the junction of Serpentine Road and Hart Lane under four-way temporary traffic lights, which will be manned at peak times to ensure a smooth flow of traffic.
The final phase will see work carried out at the junction of Granville Avenue and Hart Lane, under three-way traffic lights.
Signs will be displayed for motorists and a full signed diversion put in place.
Engineers will observe safe distance working and wear PPE at all times.
While the majority of the work will be carried out in the street, engineers will need to access some customer properties to complete the project and ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas.
Notification letters will be issued to customers to clearly explain the process ahead of this phase, however there are extra safety precautions in place for working inside.
NGN engineers will wash their hands or use hand sanitiser thoroughly before entering a property and wear a face mask and gloves; they will maintain a two metre distance and ask the householders to stay in another room while they work. Our engineers may also ask customers if they feel comfortable wearing a face mask themselves during a home visit.
Where customers are self-isolating, have symptoms or are at high clinical risk, engineers will wear full PPE when working indoors, including coveralls and eye protection.
Steve Pigott, Business Operations Lead for Northern Gas Networks, said: “We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused during these critical works. However, it is vital we complete them in order to continue to maintain a safe and reliable gas supply to the residents of Hartlepool.
“NGN is continuing to carry out its critical activities while following strict Government guidelines for safe distance working and observing health and safety guidance during the current coronavirus outbreak in England.
“We want to assure residents and road users that we will be working hard to complete this essential scheme as safely and as quickly as possible.”
Customers can read more about our Covid Secure Promise 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.