Safety, Investment & The Future of Gas in Cheshire

This week on Good Morning Cheshire, Smithy and Ian were joined by Lucy Sterry from Cadent for a friendly and informative chat about the work going on across the county.

While most people only notice the Cadent vans out on the roads, Lucy explained that a huge amount of important work is taking place underground to keep the gas network safe, reliable and ready for the future.

Lucy, who is Head of Work Management for the North West, told Smithy and Ian that Cadent is currently part-way through a major 30-year programme to replace older gas pipes across the region.

Some of the pipes date all the way back to the 1800s, so upgrading them is a vital job if homes and businesses are to continue receiving gas safely and efficiently.

Big investment across Cheshire

Cadent is investing around £90 million into the North West, with 70,000 metres of pipe replacement planned in Cheshire this year alone. That’s a significant amount of work, but it’s all about protecting the network and making sure it can serve local communities for many years to come.

Lucy also explained that Cadent works closely with local councils and authorities to plan projects carefully and keep disruption to a minimum wherever possible. When they can, the teams aim to carry out work during school holidays or at quieter times on the roads, which helps reduce the impact on drivers, residents and businesses.

Planning for the future

The conversation also touched on Cheshire’s journey towards net zero, with Lucy explaining how Cadent’s upgrades are helping prepare the network for cleaner, greener gases such as biomethane. The new plastic pipes are designed to reduce leakage, improve durability and support the transition to lower-carbon energy.

Lucy said 16 villages and hamlets in Cheshire have already had their pipes upgraded through the programme, with larger areas such as Tarvin, Kelsall and Tarporley also completed. Chester is around 95% complete too, which shows the scale of progress already being made.

Safety first

One of the key reminders from the chat was what to do if you ever smell gas. Cadent operates a 24/7 emergency service, so anyone with concerns should call straight away and an engineer will be sent out to check the area.

Lucy also spoke about Cadent’s sniffer cars, which travel around picking up possible emissions, often overnight. It’s another example of the technology being used to stay ahead of issues and keep people safe.

Community at heart

Smithy and Ian also found out a little more about Lucy herself, including her love of technology, the environment and the North West. She lives in Liverpool and enjoys getting out in her camper van with her five-year-old daughter, especially on trips into Cheshire.

It was a warm, easy-going conversation that combined useful information with a real sense of local pride. Cadent’s work may mostly happen out of sight, but it plays a huge role in keeping Cheshire running safely and reliably every day.