MORE than 100 metres of old gas pipes are being pulled out of the ground on a popular street near Newcastle Quayside.

Northern Gas Networks engineers are digging up more than 100 metres of ageing metal gas mains to replace them with plastic pipes on Sandhill - a road full of busy restaurants before the pandemic.

Sandhill is opposite Guildhall, the site of Newcastle's new Hard Rock Cafe, with iconic views of the Tyne Bridge and onto the Quayside.

The Northern Echo:

The gas works, which has seen the road closed and dug up, started last month and is expected to be completed in three weeks. 

The area is closed but bus services are still running, diverted along Queen Street and Lombard Street.

Northern Gas Networks, which is undertaking the project, says the strength and depth of the concrete surrounding existing pipes is just one challenge its engineers have faced.

The specialist flagstones used for the road are also being carefully stores so they can be reused, maintaining the look of the popular street.

The Northern Echo:

Richie Manuel, Business Operations Lead for Northern Gas Networks, said: “Our engineers are working at Sandhill in Newcastle to replace more than 100 metres of ageing metal gas mains with new, more durable plastic pipes.

"By doing this, we will ensure a safe and reliable supply of gas to customers for many years to come.

“This is a complex and challenging project, mainly due to its location right in the city centre. The challenges are being caused by the large amount of utility company cabling already underground, which is surrounded by concrete, and our engineers are having to dig extremely carefully around this cabling to ensure that it is not damaged.

"We are also dealing with the considerable strength and depth of the concrete underground, as well as working to carefully lift and remove the specialist flagstones which pave the area so that they can be replaced afterwards.

“We hope to complete the project in the next three weeks, but our focus is on working carefully around the existing cabling.

"We apologise for the time that the project is taking and any disruption caused, and thank customers for their patience."