Phonenix Gas to roll out supply network in the district

Phonenix Gas to roll out supply network in the district

27 April 2016

PHOENIX Gas has outlined its timetable for the switch on of natural gas for homes and businesses in nine local towns and villages.

The company is extending its network to towns across East Down as part of a £60m investment and the first supply of natural gas is expected to be available in 2018.

Phoenix plans to expand its network to include Downpatrick, Newcastle, Castlewellan Castlewellan, Crossgar, Dundrum, Drumaness, Saintfield and Spa and estimates its expansion proposal will result in natural gas being available to an additional 25,000 homes and businesses.

The company already has over 3,000km of pipeline in the Province which makes gas available to over 300,000 homes and businesses in the greater Belfast area. It’s expansion plan into East Down will result in the provision of an additional of  260km of pipeline.

During a special briefing with local politicians on Monday night, company representatives revealed a detailed programme to provide the new network is in place, with work due to begin next year.

In 2017, the pipeline will be extended to Hillsborough, Ballynahinch, Annahilt and Spa, with contractors laying pipes to connect Downpatrick, Saintfield, Crossgar and Drumaness in 2018.

Phoenix estimates that work to extend the pipeline to Newcastle, Castlewellan and Dundrum will begin in 2019.

Homes in Spa are scheduled to be connected to the natural gas pipeline in 2018, but it will be around two years before homes and businesses in other parts of the district are expected to be online.

Phoenix says other towns and villages may be able to connect to the natural gas pipeline network in the future, if there is demand and the move is signed off by the Utility Regulator.

During Monday night’s briefing, undertakings were given to keep disruption to a minimum as the natural gas pipeline is extended across the district. 

Denvir Wasson, Phoenix’s network performance manager, explained the construction of the gas distribution network involves providing a bulk mains which will be laid along rural roads on the approach to main towns and villages. He explained a small supply station will be provided in each town and village which will be linked to homes and businesses by a much smaller network of pipes.

The official explained the provision of the mains pipe will result in digging up roads, but explained that in town centres, Phoenix will use a directional drilling method which involves a machine boring an underground tunnel and then putting the pipe into it, avoiding what he described as “disruption and environmental impact” associated with traditional pipe laying methods.

Jonathan Martindale, Phoenix’s business development manager, said when the company starts its construction programme in East Down it will have information centres in towns to inform businesses and residents. 

Councillor Billy Walker has no doubt the availability of natural gas across the district is a good thing for consumers and believes people in his home town of Killyleagh would be keen to see the pipeline expanded there.

Councillor Mark Murnin welcomed the plans for natural gas in Ballynahinch and was assured that any work which may involve disturbing new footpaths laid as part of the town’s environmental improvement scheme would result in reinstatement using the same materials.

Councillor Robert Burgess suggested Phoenix was “missing a trick” by not being able to connect farms and rural businesses to the mains gas pipeline.

The arrival of the gas pipeline into the district was also welcomed by councillors Harry Harvey, Dermot Curran and Willie Clarke, with the latter welcoming Phoenix’s commitment to keep disruption to a minimum, particularly in main towns. Council chairman, Mickey Ruane, described the gas pipeline extension as an “exciting addition to the council area.”