Gas mains upgrade to start on Shrewsbury’s Mardol Head on 20 May 2019

News from Cadent and Shropshire Council

Shrewsbury’s Mardol Head is set for a double revamp – above and below ground.

Local gas network Cadent and Shropshire Council are working in tandem to renew ageing gas mains and then lay a smart new paving scheme in one of Shrewsbury’s main shopping areas.

Starting on Monday 20 May 2019 Cadent will begin replacing the old iron mains with tough new plastic pipes. The work is expected to take up to eight weeks and will ensure local residents and traders can continue to heat their homes and power their businesses into the next century.

Follow this link for a map of the Mardol Head gas works and diversion routes

To keep staff and road users safe while the work is underway, Mardol Head and Shoplatch will be closed to through traffic for up to eight weeks and a signed diversion route will be in place. Access will be maintained for businesses, residents and emergency vehicles and all car parks will be available.

Whilst the road is closed for the work to take place contractors working for Shropshire Council will take advantage to carry out minor maintenance works. Once the pipes are in the ground, Shropshire Council will continue a major facelift of the street’s paving.

Craig Horrocks, who heads up Cadent’s gas mains replacement programme in the West Midlands region, said:

“We are investing in new gas pipes so that local people can continue enjoy safe and reliable gas supplies until the end of the century.

“The pipes have been selected for replacement due to their age and in accordance with the prioritisation policy agreed with energy watchdog Ofgem and the Health and Safety Executive.

“This essential work has been carefully co-ordinated with Shropshire Council so that any newly resurfaced areas are not disturbed by planned gas work in the near future. We appreciate this work may be disruptive and will do everything we can to minimise the disruption.

“Access to businesses will be maintained. Our customer team will liaise with local residents and businesses to answer questions and respond to any concerns.”

Dan Green, assistant network management officer with Shropshire Council, said:

“Cadent have a regulatory obligation to replace gas mains deemed ‘at risk’ within a set timescale. Work to replace the gas main on Shoplatch has become more urgent, meaning that the work is now required for completion this year. Given the planned resurfacing of Pride Hill and Mardol Head it seemed logical that the gas main replacement work was brought forward to pre-date this resurfacing work.

“Shropshire Council has contacted other utility companies to ask that any other planned maintenance works are undertaken while the road is closed, and will carry out its own minor maintenance works during this time. This will reduce longer-term disruption to what is a busy location and reduce the need for future closures.”

While the work is carried out Shrewsbury BID is to transform Shoplatch into a ‘pocket park’ to encourage people to spend more time in the town centre.

The park will feature artificial turf and flowers, with deck chairs, live music and activities replacing the vehicles which usually use the road.

High Street will be closed to through traffic for the duration of the work, meaning inbound Wyle Cop, High Street and Shoplatch will be free from traffic. Access will still be available for deliveries and emergency vehicles.

There will changes to the Park & Ride (P&R) and some town centre bus services during the works.

• Harlescott P&R service will not serve stops at High Street, Shoplatch, Barker Street and Chester Street.
• Oxon P&R will not serve stops at High Street, Shoplatch, Barker Street and Frankwell (return).
• Meole Brace P&R will not serve stops at High Street and Shoplatch.

Other buses serving the town centre will follow the official diversions and collect/drop off passengers within the town centre where they can.

If anyone has any enquiries about this work they should contact Cadent’s customer services team 0161 703 1000.

To find out more about how Cadent replaces gas mains and how that affects residents and businesses go to www.bettergaspipes.co.uk.