Work to start this week on linking Tuam to natural gas grid

By DAVID BURKE WORK is to start this week on the 9.5 km feeder gas pipeline from Beaghmore, Belclare, that will bring natural gas to most areas of Tuam town. Natural gas will be available in the town from late Autumn, and business and community leaders were told that the ducts laid as part of the Big Dig will greatly reduce the amount of excavation required and minimise disruption to local businesses and residents. However, the Chamber of Commerce is still not satisfied with the level of communication from Bord Gais Eireann (BGE) and has asked for more frequent contact. At a meeting with Bord Gais Networks in the Ard Rí House Hotel on Wednesday May 29, Chamber President Ronan Glynn stressed how vital it was for business people in particular to know when work was being done on their street. BGE representatives assured him that a dedicated contact person would be available for the duration of the works. On Friday, the chamber received a message stating that â€Å“There will be GMC crews at two locations in Tuam on Thursday and Friday of next week: L2105 Weir Road (Woodquay area) and L2105 Weir Road (Sylane area).[private] â€Å“The work taking place will be site investigations and will not involve installation of gas pipelines. Traffic management will be on a stop and go basis. The road closure will not be in effect next week. Crews will be working on these roads until mid August, with works in earnest beginning on the week commencing June 10.â€Â The meeting was told that the Tuam project involves laying a 9.5 km feeder main pipeline from Beaghmore, along the local roads via Carragh, Cloonmore, Sylane Primary School and Woodquay and finishing up on the Weir Road at the edge of the town. A further 9 km of distribution pipeline will be laid throughout the town. Construction will be carried out by GMC Utilities Group on behalf of Bord Gais Networks. The meeting was to present details on the footprint for the natural gas distribution network within the town, an overview of the pipeline construction methods being used during the project, together with details of the significant cost savings and benefits of switching to natural gas. Representatives from Tuam Town Council, Chamber of Commerce, Galway County Council and local businesses attended the information evening and heard how the availability of natural gas offers significant cost savings and environmental benefits to local businesses, ultimately helping to sustain local employment, whilst also improving the attractiveness of the town towards inward investment. BGE representatives are calling to businesses at present to assess the degree of interest in connecting to the network. Fiachra Quigley, Provincial Sales Manager, Bord Gáis Networks said â€Å“Natural gas is a clean, efficient fuel, offering significant cost savings and environmental benefits over other fuels. For business and industry, natural gas can be used for a wide range of applications, with fuel cost savings of anywhere between 30 per cent and 60 per cent. With reduced carbon emissions, no storage requirement and a constant, reliable supply of gas it is the fuel of choice for 647,000 homes and businesses in Ireland.â€Â Peadar Oâ€â„¢Mahony, Construction Project Manager with Bord Gáis Networks outlined the construction plans and the programme of communication and engagement with local stakeholders that they implement prior to any major project. â€Å“The ducts that were pre-laid as part of the Big Dig allow us to insert the gas pipeline at set intervals, significantly reducing the need for open-trench excavation. During construction, we will ensure that businesses and residents along the route are kept informed when we are working in their area and we will make every effort to keep any disruption to a minimum. Safety is always our main priority and comprehensive traffic management plans are agreed with the local authority and implemented throughout the project,â€Â Mr Oâ€â„¢Mahony said. â€Å“We will continue to work closely with the relevant local authorities, businesses and residents of Tuam throughout this project and their co-operation and patience is greatly appreciated.â€Â[/private]