Busy road near biggest shopping park and employer in North Wales set to be dug up

A busy road close to the biggest retail park and employer in North Wales is set to be dug up. The two month project will upgrade around 900 metres of a gas pipeline under the A5104 Mold Road/Main Road/Queens Way, in Broughton, Flintshire,

It is on a stretch between the A55 and the popular Broughton Shopping Park. The biggest private sector employer Airbus is also located along that road. Businesses and local residents are being informed.

Cadent, which manages the local gas network, said engineering will involve the decommissioning of the 100 year old current pipes and the installation of new tough plastic ones, which will last for generations. They said that as well as ensuring a safe and reliable gas supply to the local area now – for heating, hot water, and cooking – it is also being done to future-proof the network, as greener gases like biomethane and hydrogen start to be introduced.

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Mark Syers, Head of Investment Planning Office (North West), Cadent, said: “Our job is to keep gas flowing to heat homes, schools, offices, and many other buildings in the local area, as well as future-proof the network ready for greener gases. This part of the network has operated for 100 years. We’ve become too frequent a visitor in recent years, with our teams carrying out essential repairs.

"This upgrade will bring an end to that, ensuring everyone gets a safe, reliable supply well into the future. We appreciate this means another period of disruption, and our teams will work as quickly as they safely can to complete the work.”

The engineers will complete the work in eight phases, with each phase representing about 100 metres of pipe upgraded. The pipes run directly under the road. To maintain a safe work area for the engineers, motorists and pedestrians, and in agreement with Flintshire Council, traffic lights will control the flow of vehicles.

Entrances to some side streets will also be closed when the teams take the pipe across them. Short diversions will be signposted when this happens. Work will start on May 7 and is due to be completed in July.

A spokesperson added: "Customer teams have begun visiting local businesses and homes, to inform and provide any assistance required. With major employers like Airbus nearby, the team is working to raise awareness among employees who commute in.

"Old metallic gas mains like these are being upgraded as part of an £800m investment by Cadent in the local area’s network over a five-year period. Records indicate that some sections of this pipeline were installed in just before the First World War and are showing signs of age – with repairs and maintenance, and associated traffic disruption, increasing in frequency in recent years.

"Gas stays ON throughout, with just a short interruption for 80 properties on the day their home is connected into the new pipes. Our on-site teams will explain how all this works and will talk the residents through every step."

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