Bolton: Blackrod Bypass heading for 15 weeks of Cadent gas mains works

Works to upgrade older gas mains is due to start on Monday, February 27, which will mean temporary traffic lights will be in place at the junction between Blackrod Brow, Chorley Road, and Blackrod Bypass.

A section of the A6 Blackrod Bypass will be closed, just after the fork that leads to Chorley Road.

There will also be a diversion in place along Station Road, onto New Street, Church Street and on to Chorley Road.

The works are expected to last for 15 weeks but businesses on that road are set to stay open.

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Once the initial section of project is completed, work will then begin on the second phase, which will take place on the junction of Station Road and Blackrod Bypass.

Blackrod Bypass jct with Station Road (Image: Google Maps)

The permanent traffic lights at the junction will be bagged off and temporary lights will be put in place.

A spokesperson for Cadent, the UK’s largest gas distribution network and responsible for the project, said: “This work is part of a big investment programme to upgrade our older gas mains.

“This will help us keep you warm in your homes, with less impact on the environment.

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“Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience this work may cause, please rest assured we will endeavour to keep any disruption to a minimum.”

The spokesperson added: “If you have any questions or concerns, please call us on 0800 090 3071 or email CustomerCareNW@cadentgas.com. Alternatively, you can scan the QR code below on your mobile to make an enquiry online.”

The pipes being replaced as part of Cadent’s £70m project  are mostly ageing metallic mains, which are nearing the end of their safe operating lives.

Upgrading to plastic ensures a long-term safe network and also means keeping everything on track to replace fossil gas with hydrogen.

“This switch is essential to local plans for meeting energy demands in ways that protect the planet more,” a spokesperson said.

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In total, the mains replacement programme confirmed for the year April 2022 to March 2023 includes more than 450,000 metres of gas mains across the North West region.

This is the same length as more than 4,300 football pitches, or the same height at more than 2,800 Blackpool Towers. It is almost double the distance, as the crow flies, from the middle of Manchester to central London.

At the beginning of the project there was 14,292 metres of pipe to be replaced in Bolton.