Retained apparatus: protection for gas undertakersE+W+S
8.—(1) In this paragraph only, apparatus means apparatus belonging to or maintained by National Grid Gas Plc for the purpose of gas supply and National Grid means National Grid Gas Plc.
(2) Not less than 56 days before the commencement of any authorised works authorised by this Order that are near to, or will or may affect, any apparatus the removal of which has not been required by the undertaker under paragraph 6(2) or otherwise, the undertaker must submit to National Grid a plan of such works.
(3) In relation to works which will or may be situated on, over, under or within 15 metres measured in any direction of any apparatus, or (wherever situated) impose any load directly upon any apparatus or involve embankment works within 15 metres of any apparatus, the plan to be submitted to National Grid under sub-paragraph (2) must be detailed including a method statement and describing—
(a)the exact position of the works;
(b)the level at which these are proposed to be constructed or renewed;
(c)the manner of their construction or renewal including details of excavation, positioning of plant etc;
(d)the position of all apparatus;
(e)by way of detailed drawings, every alteration proposed to be made to or close to any such apparatus; and
(f)intended maintenance regimes.
(4) The undertaker must not commence any works to which sub-paragraph (3) applies until National Grid has given written approval of the plan so submitted.
(5) Any approval of National Grid required under sub-paragraph (4)—
(a)may be given subject to reasonable conditions for any purpose mentioned in sub-paragraph (6) or (8); and
(b)must not be unreasonably withheld.
(6) In relation to a work to which sub-paragraph (3) applies, National Grid may require such modifications to be made to the plans as may be reasonably necessary for the purpose of securing its system against interference or risk of damage or for the purpose of providing or securing proper and convenient means of access to any apparatus.
(7) Works to which sub-paragraph (3) applies must be executed only in accordance with the plan, submitted under sub-paragraph (2) or as relevant sub-paragraph (10), as amended from time to time by agreement between the undertaker and National Grid and in accordance with such reasonable requirements as may be made in accordance with sub-paragraph (6) or (8) by National Grid for the alteration or otherwise for the protection of the apparatus, or for securing access to it, and National Grid is entitled to watch and inspect the execution of those works.
(8) Where National Grid requires any protective works to be carried out either by itself or by the undertaker (whether of a temporary or permanent nature) such protective works must be carried out to National Grid’s satisfaction prior to the commencement of any relevant part of the authorised development and National Grid must give 56 days’ notice of such works from the date of submission of a plan in line with sub-paragraph (2) or (10) (except in an emergency).
(9) If National Grid in accordance with sub-paragraph (6) or (8) and in consequence of the works proposed by the undertaker, reasonably requires the removal of any apparatus and gives written notice to the undertaker of that requirement, sub-paragraphs (2) to (4) and (6) to (8) apply as if the removal of the apparatus had been required by the undertaker under paragraph 6(2).
(10) Nothing in this paragraph precludes the undertaker from submitting at any time or from time to time, but in no case less than 56 days before commencing the execution of any works, a new plan, instead of the plan previously submitted, and having done so the provisions of this paragraph apply to and in respect of the new plan.
(11) The undertaker is not required to comply with sub-paragraph (2) where it needs to carry out emergency works as defined in the 1991 Act but in that case it must give to National Grid notice as soon as is reasonably practicable and a plan of those works and must—
(a)comply with sub-paragraph (3) and (4) in so far as is reasonably practicable in the circumstances; and
(b)comply with sub-paragraph (12) at all times.
(12) At all times when carrying out any works authorised under the Order the undertaker must comply with National Grid’s policies for safe working in proximity to gas apparatus “Specification for safe working in the vicinity of National Grid, High pressure Gas pipelines and associated installation requirements for third parties T/SP/SSW22” and HSE’s “HSG47 Avoiding Danger from underground services”.
Commencement Information
I1Sch. 15 para. 8 in force at 2.2.2016, see art. 1