National Grid is investing £578,000 in a scheme to replace more than two kilometres of old metal gas mains in St Albans with new hard-wearing plastic pipes.

This vital project begins in April and will help ensure the people of St Albans continue to enjoy safe, secure and reliable gas supplies in future years.

Work will start in Hemel Hempstead Road. Subsequent  work will take place in Batchwood Drive and Beech Road. We anticipate that our work in Beech Road will require phased lane closures and a partial road closure. These measures will be implemented in small sections and will be fully signposted with diversions in place.

The project has been planned carefully with the local authority and other agencies to keep disruption to a minimum. Wherever possible the new pipes will be inserted into the old mains, reducing the need for large scale digging.

As service pipes to properties are also being replaced, engineers will need access to properties to complete connections safely. Residents and businesses will be given advance notice when this work is necessary. People should ask to see official identification before letting people into their property. For more advice on this and to verify the identity of a National Grid employee call 0845 605 6677.

National Grid Construction Operations Engineer Kevin Blundell said: “We apologise for any inconvenience people may experience as a result of this work. This essential project forms part of National Grid’s ongoing mission to help provide secure energy supplies for future generations.”

Local people who require further information about the project can call their helpline number on 0800 096 5678.

Batchwood County Councillor Allan Witherick said “We will of course be checking to ensure that the roads are put back properly after they’ve finished, especially with Beech Road.”

The project will take around 12 months to complete and forms part of National Grid’s ongoing programme to replace all metal gas mains within 30 metres of buildings, as agreed with the Health and Safety Executive.