Uks SGN Invests in Gas Main Upgrades for Safety

During cold winter nights when you're comfortably settled on your sofa enjoying central heating while delicious aromas waft from your kitchen, this comfort relies on safe and reliable gas supply. Beneath your feet, gas pipelines work silently to maintain this warmth and security. Now, to strengthen this protection, SGN is implementing gas main replacement works in your community.

SGN manages the gas and green gas pipeline network serving 5.9 million homes and businesses across southern England and Scotland. Regardless of which gas supplier you choose, it's our pipelines that deliver gas to your property. This upgrade project involves replacing aging metal gas mains in your area with new yellow plastic pipes that are more durable and have an 80-year lifespan.

To ensure smooth project execution, you might notice our staff or contractors preparing your street beforehand by delivering and installing necessary equipment. For public and engineer safety, we may temporarily use traffic signals, adjust local bus routes, or close roads. Rest assured, we'll provide advance notice.

If you're registered on the Priority Services Register, we'll personally visit to discuss project details and keep you updated on progress.

Our gas main replacement follows these key steps designed to minimize disruption while ensuring safety:

When work affects your property, we'll notify you seven working days in advance with reminder cards. Beyond replacing street mains, we may need to upgrade your service pipe depending on your gas meter location, which could involve excavation on your property. We'll explain specifics beforehand.

Before work begins, we'll reconfirm details to ensure your full understanding.

On workdays, we'll need property access to safely shut off gas supply, typically first thing in morning. Some cases may require two shut-offs depending on site conditions. Priority Services Register members or vulnerable residents will receive temporary heating/cooking equipment during outages. After upgrades, we'll promptly restore supply, usually same-day. If absent, we'll leave contact details for rescheduling.

Following reconnection, we'll conduct safety checks ensuring all appliances function properly.

Any excavations on your property will be backfilled and cleared within five working days. Special surfaces like resin may require longer temporary solutions. New surfaces may take time to blend with existing areas. We'll leave your property clean and obstruction-free.

During large projects, you may see us progressing along roads. We clean as we work, completing clearance before leaving your street. Post-project surveys may be issued to gather feedback for service improvements.

Contact our site engineers or customer team for tailored arrangements minimizing inconvenience.

Some roadside parking may be restricted, but driveway/garage access remains available unless otherwise agreed. We may use road/shoulder space for equipment storage, with prompt restoration post-works.

Safety requires barriers and walkways around excavations. Long pipe installations may need extensive barriers, but we minimize unnecessary obstructions.

We aren't qualified to repair appliances. Contact Gas Safe registered engineers for any faults.

We reinstate all affected asphalt, paving or grass areas, aiming to match originals though new surfaces may initially appear different. Special materials like resin require extended timelines and temporary solutions.

We recognize some residents need extra assistance. Our engineers will discuss individual circumstances during street works, ensuring your safety and comfort. Priority Services Register members receive additional support during gas shut-offs and may qualify for free enhanced services.

• Free Lockable Cooker Valves: For dementia or autism patients needing safer gas appliance use.
• Energy Cost Reduction: Partner organizations provide advice on managing energy expenses or debts.
• Priority Services Register: Available for residents over 60, those with chronic illnesses, under 5s, or disabilities - offering extra support during utility disruptions and free safety checks.

1. Avoid basements even if your meter is located there.
2. Open windows/doors for ventilation.
3. Call the national gas emergency line (available 24/7).
4. No smoking or open flames.
5. Don't touch electrical switches - operation could ignite leaks.
6. Turn off gas supply at meter and ensure all appliances are off.

While our network delivers clean natural and green gases, incomplete combustion of fuels (gas, oil, coal, petrol or wood) from faulty appliances can produce toxic, odorless CO.

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Breathlessness
• Collapse
• Unconsciousness

Seek immediate medical attention if experiencing these symptoms. Suspect CO presence? Call the national gas emergency line immediately.

Available for blind, deaf, hearing-impaired or dementia patients through partner organizations.