Further Delays to Gas Works as New Mid March Completion Date Set

New dates for the completion of stage two and Three of the gas mains replacement and road closures in Penrith have been given with a new completion date for all the work of March 15th subject to any further delays that could push the  completion towards the end of March.

Gas mains replacement work by Northern Gas Networks will see Devonshire street remain closed until at least Monday 19th February after delays have prevented completion of the current works in Devonshire street originally due to reopen to traffic yesterday morning (Monday 5th February)

KingStreet is now planned to close from the 19th of February until at least the 15th of March.

The works started on the 3rd of January with the closure of Middlegate and Brunswick Road as stage 1 of the works with delays to the completion of this section due to the Storms that impacted the area in January.

With the Met Office forecast for snow and freezing temperatures for Penrith and Cumbria from Thursday, further delays could push the completion of the works back further into late March.

Daniel Hind, Operations Manager for Northern Gas Networks, said: “We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused during these essential works and the current delays. However, it is vital that we carry out this work in order to continue to maintain a safe and reliable gas supply to the residents of Penrith.”

Local Business have said the delays and continued road closures in Penrith are “devastating news for our local shops”, after being told about the delays to the works.

Some local businesses have said that since January when the works started “the footfall has been non-existent some days”.

“Please support the towns local businesses it's a tough time for many of them at the moment but they are all still open for business.”

Council owned Pay and Display Carparking in Penrith is still currently free after 3pm each day after Penrith BiD stepped in and made a payment to Westmorland and Furness Council to facilitate the provision of some Free Car parking in the town during the works by Northern Gas Networks.