Old gas pipes to be replaced in Easingwold

Northern Gas Networks (NGN), the gas distributor for the North of England, is carrying out essential work to ensure the continued reliable supply of gas to customers in Easingwold, near York.

The ageing metal pipework is now being replaced by new, more durable plastic pipes, to ensure a safe and reliable supply of gas to customers.

The work will start on Monday 4 January 2021 and is expected to last for 14 weeks. It has been planned in collaboration with North Yorkshire County Council.

To ensure the safety of staff, 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 that the work can be carried out safely and efficiently, it will be necessary to have two-way temporary traffic lights in place.

There will not be any traffic management in place for the first part of the project, but from Monday 22 February there will be two-way lights on Raskelf Road at the junction with Alne Road.

From Tuesday 8 March, the traffic lights will be on Thirsk Road, at the junction of Long Street, for the remaining time on the project, finishing on Husthwaite Road.

Motorists are advised to allow extra time for travel.

Shops and businesses in the area will remain open as usual while the work is carried out.

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; they will maintain a two metre distance and ask the householders to stay in another room while they work, and they will wear a face mask and gloves.

Their engineers may also ask customers if they would feel comfortable wearing a face mask themselves during a home visit.

Where customers are self-isolating, have symptoms or are at high clinical risk, our engineers will wear full PPE including coveralls and eye protection.

Russ Kaye, Business Operations Lead for Northern Gas Networks, said:

“We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused during these essential works. However, it is vital we complete them in order to continue to maintain a safe and reliable gas supply to the residents of Easingwold.

NGN is continuing to carry out essential services while following strict Government guidelines for safe distance working and observing health and safety guidance during the current tiered restrictions in England.

We want to assure residents and road users that we will be working hard to complete this scheme as safely and as quickly as possible.”

For further information about the work please contact NGN’s Customer Care Team on 0800 040 7766 or email: [email protected]

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.