Old Concrete gas marker outside house

Shun_di

We are thinking of having a few kerbs dropped outside our house so that we can have a wider driveway. However, there is what looks like an old concrete Gas marker (about 30 cm in height) sticking up out of the pavement where we want the kerbs to be dropped. It has the letters WMG on it which I can only think is West Midlands Gas as we live in Staffordshire.

If it is West Midlands Gas I assume that this was installed before British Gas came into being in the early 70s. My question is, can this be removed so that we can have our kerb dropped/drive our car onto the new driveway when its done? If it can be removed, who is responsible for it? British Gas, the council or can I go out to B&Q, buy a sledge hammer and take out my frustrations on it :rotfl:

southcoastrgi

British Gas are a independent company no different to your local gas installer they just employ more people

Speak to the company you pay your gas bill to

Jonesya

I'd suggest finding out who owns the gas network in your area - looks like it will be Nationalgrid:
http://www2.nationalgrid.com/UK/Our-company/Gas/Gas-Distribution-Network/

I'd contact them about it - it may still be doing its job indicating the presence of a gas main. If there's a gas main, that needs to be thought about for any digging works.

http://www2.nationalgrid.com/UK/Safety/Pipeline-marker-FAQs/

victor2

You have to apply to your council to get a dropped kerb. They might say it can't be done with the gas marker there. Presumably there is still a gas pipe beneath it. Maybe they'll refer you to national grid, but I'd start with the council and explain the situation.

Shun_di

Thanks for the replies. I'll have a look at some of those links. I think the first stop will be the council. We've looked into getting the kerb dropped and we need the council to come and have a look at it first, but its £115 non refundable inspection. So I don't want to pay that and then to be told that we can't remove the marker and therefore can't get the kerb dropped.

Chanes

It is most likely a marker for gas main and most likely they wouldn't want that removing is my best guess, I doubt they would let it be laid flat because it would have to be easy to identify at a glance from a vehicle. It would be interesting to know how it works out, though. We have a BT cabinet beneath the footpath which could make increasing our dropped kerb a bit tricky...

force_ten

I would say that the marker is there to show the position of a gas main, the problem i foresee is allowing you to dig in the proximity of the gas main

also by dropping the kerb you will potentially be reducing the depth between the pipe and finished grade

when i applied to drop my kerbs the cost paid to the council covered searches and the letter of consent also contained health and safety prints from the utilities showing the location of any underground utilities

brightontraveller

Check if its still active national grid etc http://www.energynetworks.org/info/faqs/gas-distribution-map.html
Then verify with whichever doesn't charge or fees the lowest first...
It can always be done its just the cost increases drastically if services require moving , reinforcing etc if its feed into just your house then start at £750 upwards (and normally done by suppliers approved contractors ) to the boundary of you property you can dig the rest or pay them to do so, Then the kerb is extra and normally by councils approved contractors if its main road supply it can be tens of thousands.....