Location: Ince‑in‑Makerfield, Wigan Borough 
Clients: Wigan Council, Cadent and United Utilities 
Delivery Partner: PGL Pipelines 

Network Plus has delivered the first combined gas and water mains upgrade scheme in the North West, cutting four weeks of disruption for local residents by coordinating two essential utility projects into a single programme of works. 

The Network Plus Approach 

Network Plus identified that planned gas and water mains replacements were scheduled on the same streets within a similar timeframe. Rather than delivering them separately, Network Plus developed a proposal to combine both upgrades into one coordinated scheme, reducing disruption, excavation and carbon impact. 

Network Plus approached both Cadent and United Utilities, setting out a clear delivery model that aligned safety requirements, programmes and stakeholder expectations across both utilities. 

Overcoming Industry Barriers 

A key challenge in multi‑utility schemes is the availability of appropriately qualified operatives. Network Plus solved this by engaging PGL Pipelines, whose engineers hold the dual competencies and safety accreditations required to work on both gas and water networks. 

This enabled a genuinely integrated approach, removing the need for multiple contractors or handovers. 

Centralised Delivery and Community Benefits 

The project was centrally managed by Network Plus, providing a single point of control for planning, safety, delivery and communications. On‑site works were carried out by PGL Pipelines under Network Plus management. 

As a result: 

• Disruption was reduced by four weeks 

• No road closures or temporary traffic lights were required 

• Access to homes was maintained throughout the works 

• Fewer excavations reduced environmental impact 

• Setting a Blueprint for the Future 

While similar schemes have been attempted elsewhere, this is believed to be the first UK project delivered by the same contractor for both gas and water upgrades. 

The success of the Wigan scheme has created a replicable model for future collaborative infrastructure delivery, with Network Plus already supporting both utilities in identifying further opportunities across the region.