Sunniside Roadworks

Residents of Sunniside have shown a remarkable degree of patience following months of work by Northern Gas Networks (United Utilities) on laying new gas pipes on Sunniside Road. Traffic lights have been in use along much of Sunniside Road since March.

The original plan by the company was to complete the work by early May but two major problems occurred which have forced the expected completion date to be moved backwards to early July.

The work that is taking place involves the removal of 829 metres of old iron gas pipe and valves with 499 metres of polyethylene pipes.

Since work began, the contractors have found rock into which the pipes have to be sunk. This was not previously expected.

In addition the gas company’s records of the existing pipe locations and layout apparently bear little resemblance to what is actually in the ground. Consequently the contractor is having to search for the pipes and valves before the replacement works can be carried out.

Councillor Jonathan Wallace, who is also a resident of the village, has been in touch with Highways Officers of Gateshead Council to try to get a completion date.

“The work is for a private company and is carried out by private contractors, so the Council in this instance is the body that oversees the work but otherwise has no direct control,” said Jonathan.

“Whilst I accept the work is necessary as the old pipes have to be replaced, I am concerned that in this instance, the estimated time to complete the work was way off the mark.

“Unforeseen circumstances are a part of daily life, but in this instance, insufficient time was considered to take into account the unexpected. However, I have been informed that the end of June or early July is the expected completion date.”