building over gas pipe??

[Evergreen]

are we allowed to build over a gas pipe?

i have a piece of land and is runs directly under the middle of it

i was told by an experienced builder that if we protect it well and allow access to it, then it would be fine - he stated he did a project similar to this

i spoke to transco tho and they told me we werent allowed to build over it!

can anyone shed some light on this please?

[jeffrey]

Transco ought to know rather more about the law than your builder who's wanting the contract! Ask Transco to cite statutory authority for its statement that building-over would be unlawful. Please post the answer here.

[Brixtonia]

Transco ought to know rather more about the law than your builder who's wanting the contract! Ask Transco to cite statutory authority for its statement that building-over would be unlawful. Please post the answer here.

"Ought" being the operative word. The utility companies are dreadful in that they providing regularly contradictory advice, probably because they subcontract out so many of their services. If you can get them to cite statutory authority which prevents you from building over their pipes that would be useful but if you have any doubts and the project is worthwhile I would still get independent advice from an appropriately experienced surveyor (or perhaps a lawyer?).

[mk1fan]

Is this a gas main or 'just' a supply pipe.

I wouldn't put any stock in comment made by any of the utility company staff. In the past, I've had one memeber of staff from a 'New Connections' department say that they don't do new mains connections.

If the pipe is a gas main then things are going to be tricky. What right have they to run the pipework over your land?

If it's just a supply branch pipe then I don't see any problems.

Worst case would be to divert the pipework to the side of the plot.

[jeffrey]

If the pipe is a gas main then things are going to be tricky. What right have they to run the pipework over your land?
Maybe an easement (or wayleave/licence) with a 'not to build over' covenant/restriction?