OREANDA-NEWS. Engineers working for National Grid will start work on the second phase of essential work to replace a gas main in King Street, Middlwich on Monday 23 June.

The project will see a 576 metre length of 18in diameter cast iron gas main replaced with a modern plastic pipe. The work is expected to take 11 weeks to complete, during which time King Street will be closed to traffic and a diversion route will be in place.

The section of main being replaced runs from the chicken farm to King Street Hall Farm with the junction with Croxton Lane. The road will be closed in this area and traffic will be diverted along the following route during the work:

A556/Penny Lane/Holmes Chapel Road/B5081/Centurion Way and Holmes Chapel Road/Kinderton St/St Michael Way/Middlewich Road/Bostock Road/A553.

Businesses in the area will be open as usual.

Stephen Murray, contract manager, National Grid said: “People in Middlewich enjoy a safe and reliable gas supply and our job is to make sure it stays that way. The new section of main we are laying in King Street will last at least 80 years so while there will be some traffic delays in the short term, the long term benefit will be mains which will last for many decades to come. We have been working with Cheshire East Council in planning this work.

“If people want to know more about our work and how it will affect them, they can get in touch with us on 0161 703 1000 or 1010.”

A video which shows what people can expect to see during the operation to renew gas mains in their street can be viewed on Google or YouTube by entering National Grid Gas Mains Replacement (UK) in the search box.

National Grid will be renewing around 430km of gas mains in the North West over the next twelve months. This is part of £22 billion programme of investment in the company's energy networks in the UK and US over a five year period.