A MULTI-million-pound investment will see major upgrades made to the local gas network.

Cadent, a national gas distribution operator, has announced plans for an £80million investment to modernise around 420,000 metres of pipeline around the north west.

Warrington will be among the areas that benefit from the investment, with a specified 16,619 metres of pipe set to be upgraded in the next 12 months.

They will be upgrading vital pipes to plastic to ensure a long-term safe network, as well as remain on track to replace fossil gas with greener alternatives, such as biomethane and hydrogen.

And this change is essential to achieve local plans for meeting energy demands in ways that better protect the planet.

As part of its commitment to keeping customers safe and warm, every year Cadent replaces around 1.5 per cent of its 34,000km north west underground distribution system.

These are mostly ageing metallic mains nearing the end of their safe operating lives.

The work is part of a bigger 30-year engineering programme, which is happening across the UK and is due to finish in 2032.

Speaking on the plans, head of investment planning office, Mark Syers, said: “More than 80 per cent of homes in the north west rely on gas for central heating and it’s our job to make sure they get it, safely and reliably, every minute of every day of the year.”

“As our older stock reaches the end of its safe working life, we must replace it. We’re also excited by the arrival soon of hydrogen to our networks, which is going to be essential to the north west achieving its targets to reduce carbon emissions.”

Cadent works with the local highways authorities to agree the best and least disruptive timings to carry out these essential upgrades.

Once start dates have been confirmed, letters are sent to properties impacted ahead of the work starting.

Part of the programme also involves replacing individual ‘service’ pipes of tens of thousands of properties at no extra cost for customers. Cadent makes all the arrangements and gives advance notice of when work will happen.

Gas remains on throughout, although in some cases properties that take a direct feed from the pipe being replaced will lose supply for up to 12 hours, as their building is connected to the new main. Customer teams are available to answer any questions.