GAS works that saw one of Tameside’ major routes completely closed for a time, causing traffic chaos, have been completed six weeks early.
Installing 1,400 metres of new pipe under the notorious stretch of the A57 at Mottram Moor saw delays and diversions as thousands of vehicles attempted to get past.
But Cadent Gas cracked on and got the job, which was meant to end in August, done by early July.
They say the new pipe is fully integrated into the existing network, which will secure the supply to the immediate area for years to come and has future-proofed it ahead of the arrival soon of hydrogen.
Craig Horrocks, head of Cadent’s north west investment planning office, said: “This is undoubtedly one of the most challenging projects in our investment programme this year.
“There’s two reasons for saying that – installing 1,400 metres of large new pipe on the local gas network is in itself complex engineering, but we’ve also had to factor in the fact this is one of the busiest roads in the region.
“The whole team, including partners in other agencies, have done a fantastic job, and we’re finishing ahead of schedule.
“We’ve tried hard to come up with the best possible solutions to completing this job safely and keep traffic flowing around and alongside us.
“Thanks to everyone – the local community and motorists passing through – for your support and patience; we appreciate at times it’s been disruptive.
“I’m pleased to say the new pipe is now fully tested and commissioned, distributing gas to local homes in the area and to a local power generation site – which uses gas to drive the turbines to generate electricity.
“It’s also future-proofed the network – helping get it ready for the introduction soon of hydrogen, which is going to lead to big carbon reductions in how we heat our homes in the future.”