MANX Gas is carrying out the final preparations for the next phase of the natural gas project, which is due to get under way next month.
From February 27, work will start to convert its main LPG and mains town gas customers to natural gas.
Work will start in Ramsey and then continue to Castletown, Ballasalla, Colby, Ballakillowey, Port Erin, Port St Mary, Kirk Michael and Peel, finishing in Ballaugh in December.
It will see engineers visiting about 6,800 homes and businesses.
Conversion project manager Aidan Baglow said: ‘Our focus now is on ensuring that we have the last few remaining parts and replacement appliances available to allow us to convert over 10,000 appliances to natural gas.’
He added: ‘During last year’s survey, our engineers identified over 1,700 different models and types of gas appliances.’
This week, Manx Gas is getting ready to launch its new mobile customer support centre.
The unit will offer a secure key-holding service, ensuring the conversion work can be carried out with the minimum of inconvenience.
‘The centre will form the hub of our customer communication.
‘We want to ensure that customers get the support where they need it, right outside their homes, so the support centre will be based in the conversion areas throughout the project,’ he said.
In the last week, Manx Gas has also issued leaflets to all affected customers explaining the conversion process.
Every customer will receive at least one month’s notice of when the conversion will take place in their area, followed by one-week, 48-hour and 24-hour notice letters.
There will also be information posted on the dedicated website, nat uralgas.com, and the newly launched conversion Facebook page.
Mr Baglow said: ‘There is still a lot of hard work ahead, but I am convinced that we have the right skills here on the island to deliver this project safely and on time for all our customers.’
The final connection in the south of the island, in Alexandra Road, Castletown, finished ahead of schedule.
To cross the steam railway line and connect the existing gas mains, the A5 road was closed between S&S Motors and the traffic lights at Castletown Corner.
Installation and testing of the new pipelines was completed in October. It involved crossing about 300 hedges, more than 20 roads and seven rivers.
