Cadent's £2m Hartford gas works project nears completion

Since July last year, there have been several lane closures on the dual carriageway in Hartford as gas company Cadent has been installing a new pressure management system.

The £2 million works, described as 'one of the most challenging projects on the North West's gas network in years', will protect the safe supply of gas to more than 16,000 homes and businesses in Cheshire.

And as the project enters its final days, any existing lane closures on the A556 will be lifted by Friday, March 8.

Paul Phillips, the Cadent engineer in charge of this project, said: "This has been a very challenging project – one of the most difficult ones, for many reasons, in my 23 years working in gas.

"Engineering on a scale like this is meticulous and does take time. Safety is always our number one priority, as well as ensuring we kept gas flowing throughout, to keep people warm through winter."

Cadent, which manages the gas network in and around Northwich, had identified the current above-ground pressure management facility – which was built in the 1950s beside a footpath near Hartford Bridge – required urgent replacement.

The new below-ground 'governor' (Image: Cadent)

Known as a ‘governor’, this is an important part of the gas distribution system which brings gas pressures down to safe levels for onward travel into homes, schools, offices and other buildings in the area, primarily for heating.

It also helps Cadent supply nearly 300 industrial users of gas in the area.

In order to replace it, Cadent has had to find a new plot of land nearby and install the new facility below ground, while ensuring gas continued to flow throughout the project.

Mr Phillips added: "We’ve been incredibly grateful for the patience of the public, as we have been on-site since July now.

"I’m pleased to say the new governor is up and running, and operating safely."

The lane closures were put in place on the A556 at various stages to ensure the safety of Cadent workers laying 400 metres of new pipes to the new facility location.

Engineers have been working on the project since July 2023 (Image: Cadent)

An important milestone was reached this week, as the new facility was commissioned.

This means gas is now flowing through it – and all tests have shown everything is working safely and reliably. The old facility can now be decommissioned and the large work areas restored to good order.

Cadent is working towards having all existing lane closures lifted by March 8 and will ensure the grass verges beside the road, which is where the new facility is now housed, will be restored to good order.

In time, there will be little evidence to show the facility is there – as it will be below the ground, out of sight.