• Gas pipe upgrade will keep energy flowing through Widnes town centre for 80+ years
• One-lane of Deacon Road to be closed to traffic with diversion in place from 29 January

The final stage of future-proofing gas pipes running under the roads of Widnes town centre is due to begin on Monday (29 January).

Gas network Cadent will replace 300 metres of metal mains pipes under Deacon Road.

This is the last section that needs upgrading in Widnes town centre, with the durable new plastic pipe ensuring a reliable and low maintenance gas supply for at least 80 years.

Teams will work seven days a week to complete the scheme as soon as possible. It is planned to take 45 days.

As the pipe is under the road, one lane of Deacon Road will be unavailable, between Albert Road and Appleton Village. Traffic can travel westbound (away from the town centre) along Deacon Road.

A diversion route will be in place for traffic heading in the opposite direction.

For the last 15 days (of the 45 in total), work will also be taking place in Albert Road, which means this road will be closed then.

Letters have been sent to every property directly affected by the works and customer teams have been speaking to residents and business owners to explain the work and understand if there are any local issues to be aware of. The project customer team can also be reached on 0161 703 1000.

Steve Murray, who heads Cadent’s mains replacement programme, said: “The gas pipes beneath the streets of Widnes deliver gas safely, day and night, so people can heat their homes and cook meals, as well as helping to power business. The upgrade of metal pipe to durable plastic in Deacon Road will ensure we can keep that energy flowing, safely and reliably, until at least the end of the century.

“It is essential work. The pipe sits directly under Deacon Road, and our absolute priority is to ensure safety of residents, motorists and our workers. We’ve worked closely with Halton Council for several months to plan this project and agree the temporary change to traffic arrangements.”

This project is part of a £77.5m investment by Cadent in 2017/18, to upgrade around 500km of gas mains pipes across the North West region.

Cadent is the UK’s biggest gas network, ensuring gas reaches 11 million properties in the North West, Midlands, East of England and parts of London, through a network of 131,000km of pipes.