Major work starts soon to replace underground gas mains in Burscough.

Cadent, which manages the local gas network, is calling time on 2,000-metres of gas pipes that run beneath Liverpool Road South and Lordsgate Lane.

Dating to the Second World War era, they’re now showing signs of their age; Cadent’s engineers have carried out repairs on this part of the network nearly 30 times in last five years, each time leading to significant delays.

The solution - to upgrade the pipes; metallic gas mains like these are being upgraded as part of an £800m investment by Cadent in the NW over the next five years. This programme is helping to get the network ready for a move away from fossil gases to hydrogen, essential for a ‘net zero’ future.

The frequency of repair work required on this pipe has led Cadent to bring forward its planned date for replacement, and as well as the big main in the road, the engineers will also replace the individual service pipes that carry gas into 160 properties.

The Cadent teams will ensure gas stays ON throughout the six month project. This is apart from one day – for those 160 properties only, as they are connected into the new pipes. Advance notice will be given and gas will be restored the same day it goes off.

Teams will move in to start the project on April 4 and the work will happen in short sections, enabling roads to stay open and travel to continue in both directions, with traffic light controls.

Cadent's advising drivers to allow extra time for journeys (particularly at peak times) or consider using alternative routes.

Craig Horrocks, its head of the NW Investment planning office, said: “Our job is to keep gas flowing to heat homes, schools, offices and many other buildings in the local area, as well as future-proof the network ready for hydrogen.

“This part of the network has operated for more than 70 years. We’ve become too frequent a visitor in recent years, with our teams carrying out essential repairs.

“This upgrade will bring an end to that, ensuring everyone gets a safe, reliable supply well into the future.

“We appreciate this means another period of disruption and will maintain a work area that ensures the road can stay open both ways, with traffic lights.”

The project involves replacing pipes under Lordsgate Lane, as well as Liverpool Road South (from the junction of Lordsgate Lane to near Meadowbrook / Springfield Close) - in total, around 2,000 metres of pipe will be worked on, the same length as 20 full-sized football pitches.