Manx Gas successfully completed the first stage of its natural gas conversion extension project this week after converting more than 2,200 residential and business properties in Ramsey over the past three months.

“We are really pleased with progress so far,” said Aidan Baglow, conversion project manager for Manx Gas.  “The investment in training our local engineers has paid off, delivering the programme safely and on time.”

During the work, the Isle of Man-based team of Gas Safe registered engineers converted around 3000 appliances, which involved turning off the old gas supply, updating parts and then switching the properties over to natural gas.

Central to the project so far has been the Manx Gas mobile support unit, a blue bus which has acted as a drop-in conversion advice centre.

“This on-site customer facility allows us to engage with customers face to face and means we can respond instantly to the needs of our customers,” said Mr Baglow.

Customers have also been taking advantage of the secure key-holding service which allows engineers to carry out the work when residents are out.

“We recognise that there can be some inconvenience while the work is in progress, but having the support bus located in the conversion area means we are always close by where our customers need us.” He added: “Feedback so far has been very positive, but we still have a lot of work to do and we want to ensure that this experience is shared by the rest of our customers.”

Any customers still to be converted will be notified a month in advance of their conversion date and again a week before. Customers can also call the dedicated support line on 644445 or visit www.naturalgasiom.com.

The next stage of the scheme is due to get underway in Castletown straight after TT week on Monday 11th June. The engineers will then move on to Ballasalla, Colby, Port St Mary, Port Erin, Kirk Michael, Peel, finishing work in Ballaugh in December this year.

“I would like to personally thank all of our customers in Ramsey for their kind co-operation in allowing us access to complete the work, we’ve met some great people,” said Mr Baglow.

Photograph: Conversion team leader Phillip Blackmore verifying safety checks on a gas meter outside one of the final homes to be converted in Ramsey.