Written question asked by David Heyes (Labour) on Thursday, 6 March 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 April 2003. It was answered by Nicholas Brown (Labour) on Thursday, 3 April 2003 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether Transco completed the replacement of all medium pressure ductile iron mains within 30 metres of buildings by 31st December 2002 as required by the HSE's Improvement Notice issued in September 2000. - Including figures.

Answer: Mr. Heyes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether Transco completed the replacement of all medium pressure ductile iron mains within 30 metres of buildings by 31 December 2002 as required by the HSE's Improvement Notice issued in September 2000. [102241] Mr. Nicholas Brown: Transco completed their planned replacement programme by 31 December 2002. This excluded 11.382 km, which were discovered too late to be replaced within this deadline. Transco originally anticipated replacing approximately 2,360 km of mains. However, they eventually replaced 2897.842 km within this timescale, an overrun of 537.842 km or 22.75 per cent. Transco were given an Extension to the Improvement Notice to 30 April 2003 to remove the remaining 11.382 km. I am advised that there are sound engineering reasons why this cannot be done any earlier, including safety considerations.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 102241; 402 c834W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Buildings Iron and steel Natural gas Location Pipelines Safety Transco
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk