Oldham gas emergency service has new motorbike team

Oldham's gas emergency team

Manchester’s gas emergency service - based in Oldham - is reaching potentially life-threatening incidents up to 50 per cent faster by deploying a motorbike in peak traffic hours.

Cadent’s engineers – skilled in dealing with gas escapes that could endanger life and property – are mandated to reach uncontrolled incidents as fast as possible, but within an hour.

This can be challenge, with often-congested traffic thoughout the city and beyond. Engineers normally travel in vans and are not ‘blue light’ responders.

Since November, a team of its ‘first call operatives’ based out of Hollinwood (and covering an area including Rochdale, Oldham, Stockport, Macclesfield and Manchester city centre) have trialled a BMW R1200RT. This is the same model of motorbike used by emergency services like the police.

The trial saw journey times cut by up to 50 per cent and two more motorbikes are now on order.

Cadent is the first of the UK’s four gas networks to use motorbikes in this way.

Michael Jennison, Cadent emergency supervisor and bike team leader, said: “We have enough tools and equipment on the bike to be able to safeguard life and property

“As well as the morning and evening rush hours, we can tactically deploy the bike across the city if there are large events like football games and big concerts.

“We’re really happy with the success so far. It’s proven its worth in terms of saving travel times and maintaining standards of service, but primarily safeguarding our customers’ lives and property.

The bike being trialled across Manchester – the first city outside of London to use them for gas emergencies – is on loan from the London team. Now the Manchester team have two of their own on order.

Cadent responds to more than 400,000 reports of gas escapes every year, across its area of operations stretching from London to the Lake District. Only a minority turn out to be actual gas escapes, but each need checking by a qualified engineer to make sure and make safe.

The Manchester bike team currently comprises five engineers, with three more expected to join soon. Each member is required to pass enhanced rider training.

If you smell gas, or suspect carbon monoxide, call 0800 111 999. This call will reach Cadent’s permanently-manned control centre that offers 24/7 guidance. This team will dispatch an engineer to deal with gas emergencies.

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