A significant gas infrastructure upgrade is underway in Bedford, right under our feet, and it’s helping to improve and secure the town’s energy supply, support future growth, and ensure long-term sustainability.
The project, led by Cadent Gas in partnership with HB Tunnelling, involves the installation of a new gas main under the railway line near Prebend Street Car Park, and they’ve employed the help of Diggy Stardust, a tunnel boring machine (TBM) to get the job done.
Diggy, was named after engineers who chose their favourite from several names, which also included; Sir Digs-A-Lot, Moley Cyrus, and Drilliam Shakespeare. While Diggy Stardust was the favourite, Rocky Balbore came in second.
Bedford’s gas supply
Once complete, we’re told the new pipes will provide a more resilient gas supply for 25,000 homes, with the capacity to serve up to 45,000 properties in the future.
Cadent say the upgrade is needed as Bedford continues to expand, putting increased demand on the town’s gas network. Plus, it replaces the former gas holder site, once used to store gas, which is outdated, to provide a more efficient and reliable supply.
Paul Angel, Operations Assurance Manager at Cadent, explained, “We identified a need to upgrade the network as Bedford continues to grow rapidly.
“The infrastructure around the old gas holder site has become outdated, and with new developments, it’s essential to future-proof the town’s energy supply.”
By replacing ageing infrastructure, the new system will create a two-way feed, improving reliability and security of supply for homes and businesses.
Julian Geer, Project Manager at HB Tunnelling, said the tunnelling under the rail line along Prebend Street has been a 24/7 job.
“The gas main will be installed from one side and pushed through to the other in a single drive. To prevent issues with ground pressure, the work will continue 24/7 to ensure smooth progress and avoid delays,” he added.
Safety both on and off the site is a top priority, with track monitoring systems in place to ensure no movement affects railway services too. Geer says these are monitored “day and night to ensure passenger safety”.
Cadent has taken steps to ensure minimal disruption to people living nearby, with community liaison teams engaging with the public through letter drops and direct communication, and using equipment that is quieter than traditional tunnelling methods.
“We’ve used low-vibration and low-noise methods to address residents’ concerns and to minimise any inconvenience,” Geer explained.
Future-proofing
The new gas infrastructure will also be hydrogen-ready, allowing for a future transition to biomethane and hydrogen, in line with the UK’s net-zero targets.
“As we move towards greener energy solutions, this upgrade will allow us to introduce more sustainable gases and help Bedford meet its environmental goals,” added Angel.
Work is expected to be completed by June 2025, with the gas main installation taking approximately two months, followed by putting Prebend Car Park back to its original condition.
By the time the work is finished, the only visible sign of the upgrade will be a green box. Yet, under our feet, gas will flow without any of us giving it a second thought for many more years to come, thanks to Diggy.
