Cadent manages the local underground gas network in the North West. The company is working with the council to carry out essential improvement works to the gas pipes in Wirral.
Some of the pipes in Wirral are over 100 years old and need to be replaced so that they can continue to be used safely.
The pipes that Cadent will be working on distribute gas to homes, hospitals, schools, offices and industry and help to provide the services that we need to live and work.
More than 87% of Wirral’s homes rely on gas central heating to provide warmth and hot water and these works are critical to ensure that this continues to happen safely.
Work to upgrade gas pipes between April 2025 and March 2026 will mainly be focused in the following areas of Wirral (a total of 38 separate projects):
- Bebington (3 projects)
- Birkenhead (6)
- Bromborough (4)
- Heswall (4)
- Hoylake (2)
- Moreton (3)
- Prenton (6)
- Wallasey (8)
- West Kirby (2)
Cadent is working with the council to deliver this programme and help minimise disruption. Where possible, all works within this programme are being scheduled to avoid clashes with other planned projects and highway schemes, such as road surfacing works.
View a map of the most up-to-date roadworks
Benefits of the scheme
The replacement of pipes will not only make essential upgrades so that pipes can continue to be used safely but will mean big environmental gains for the region, as it reduces methane emissions and enables a move to more renewable gases like biomethane. This is essential for a cleaner future – the UK will need energy to come from a range of sources to meet demand and be sustainable.
How the scheme will be funded
The programme of works in Wirral is part of the £75million programme by Cadent to upgrade 385,000 metres of gas mains in the North West in the year from April 2025 to March 2026. This is the same straight-line distance as Liverpool to Dover!
Timescales
Cadent have been working through a 30-year programme of works to upgrade gas pipes and modernise the gas network in the UK. This began in 2002 and is now entering its final phases – where the most significant amount of work will need to be completed.
In Wirral, 40,668 metres of gas pipe will need to be upgraded this year. About the same amount will be upgraded each year until the programme of works is complete.
Emergency gas works
Alongside the upgrade works, routine maintenance, and repair jobs, as well as the necessary fast response work to emergencies and reports of smells of gas will also continue to take place.
If you ever smell gas, call 0800 111 999 immediately, day or night (all calls are recorded and may be monitored). Do not delay, or assume it is related to nearby works. It may not be and needs to be checked.
What to do if you are having gas works near you?
If the works are part of this major upgrade programme and you are going to be one of the properties directly impacted, Cadent will send you information by letter several weeks before the project begins.
In some cases, Cadent may need to switch off your gas supply but if this is needed, you will get advance notice and Cadent will ensure that the gas is turned back on the same day. A qualified engineer will turn your supply off and back on again, and check everything is working safely.
If you need to contact Cadent about gas main upgrade work in your area:
- use the online form at Cadent's website
- email CustomerCareNW@cadentgas.com
- telephone 0800 090 3071
Would you need extra support in a gas emergency?
The Priority Services Register helps utility companies look after customers who have extra communication, access or safety needs - for example, during a loss of gas incident, a water supply issue, or a power cut. It is a completely free service. Find out more at cadentgas.com/psr