Roadworks on way to the Fylde coast as Cadent to carry out major gas main improvements works

Major gas pipeline upgrades in Blackpool and the Fylde coast will boost safety, cut emissions and secure energy supplies.

400km of gas mains pipes will be upgraded this year in the North West, with nearly 70 engineering teams expected to be part of the delivery.

Blackpool and the Fylde coast will have 25,000m of pipeline upgraded in the 2026-27 financial year.

Keeping homes, hospitals, schools, offices and many other buildings warm, while also helping the North West region secure environmental gains.

Blackpool will see 11,000m of pipeline improvements, while Wyre will have 9,000m of improvements and Fylde 5,000m.

Cadent, which manages the region's gas distribution network, will upgrade some of the oldest pipes it operates. This will ensure a safe, reliable supply of gas to heat homes, hospitals, schools and other buildings. Four out of every five homes in the region have a gas supply.

The mains eplacement work will be carried out from April 2026 to March 2027 and will roadworks and possible delays for motorists.

Why these upgrades are essential

Homes, schools, hospitals and other buildings use gas for heat and hot water, some of the region’s biggest industries need it to power production processes, and it is the fuel of choice for rising numbers of HGV fleets.

These upgrades also 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.

The work is part of a 30‑year national gas mains replacement programme, which began in 2002. Each year, Cadent replaces around 1.5 per cent of the 34,000 kilometres of gas pipes that make up the North West network, most of which are located beneath roads and pavements.

Lucy Sterry, Head of Work Management for Cadent in the North West, said: “Most homes in the North West rely on gas for heat and hot water, and it’s our responsibility to make sure that supply remains safe and reliable every minute of the year.

“In most cases - around 95 per cent of the time - we are able to insert the new plastic pipe into the old metallic one. This technique reduces the time of each project and we don’t have to dig as much, which means less disruption for local communities.”

Minimising disruption for communities

Cadent works closely with local highways authorities and other utility companies to coordinate activity and agree the least disruptive timings. Properties affected by the work receive advance notification, and customer feedback from last year’s programme averaged 9.16 out of 10 (verified results pending).

Gas supplies remain on for most customers throughout the work. In some cases, properties directly connected to a pipe being replaced may experience a temporary interruption of up to 12 hours while they are safely reconnected. Customer teams are on hand to answer questions and support customers - particularly those on the Priority Services Register.