Work to install 1,400 metres of new gas pipe under the A57 Mottram Moor has been completed six weeks ahead of schedule.

Cadent Gas, which manages the local gas network, made the announcement that will delight thousands of drivers on Wednesday afternoon (6 July).

Work on the road - which is a major link between Manchester, Yorkshire and High Peak - had started on 4 April and was initially due to be completed in August.

The project involved laying a large section of new gas pipe, the equivalent of more than 14 football pitches. 

The work had, at times, led to what was seen as unavoidable additional traffic disruption on what was already a busy road.

Just last week, we reported that Cadent Gas 'hoped' to complete the work six weeks ahead of schedule - around mid-July - and now has come the good news that it had achieved its objective.

Cadent Gas says the new pipe is fully integrated into the existing network, which will secure the supply to the immediate area for years to come and has future-proofed it ahead of the arrival soon of hydrogen. 

Craig Horrocks, Head of Cadent's North West Investment Planning Office, said: "This is undoubtedly one of the most challenging projects in our investment programme this year.

"There’s two reasons for saying that – installing 1,400 metres of large new pipe on the local gas network is in itself complex engineering, but we’ve also had to factor in the fact this is one of the busiest roads in the region.

"The whole team, including partners in other agencies, have done a fantastic job, and we’re finishing ahead of schedule.

"We’ve tried hard to come up with the best possible solutions to completing this job safely and keep traffic flowing around and alongside us.

"Thanks to everyone – the local community and motorists passing through – for your support and patience; we appreciate at times it’s been disruptive.

"I’m pleased to say the new pipe is now fully tested and commissioned, distributing gas to local homes in the area and to a local power generation site – which uses gas to drive the turbines to generate electricity.

"It’s also future-proofed the network – helping get it ready for the introduction soon of hydrogen, which is going to lead to big carbon reductions in how we heat our homes in the future." 

Further information on the project can be found at www.cadentgas.com/a57