Residents across Cheshire are being urged to have their say on plans for a new 100km underground hydrogen pipeline.

A consultation begins to today (October 14) over proposals by Cadent Gas for the sprawling pipeline, designed to distribute low carbon hydrogen - primarily produced by EET Hydrogen at the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex near Ellesmere Port - to industrial sites across the North West.

It will cover areas in Cheshire West, including Northwich and Chester, as well as parts of Halton and Warrington.

Known as HyNet North West, the pipeline will be underground, although nine Hydrogen Above Ground Installations (HAGIs) and two Block Valve Installations (BVIs) will be required along the pipeline's route.

Cadent is applying to the Government for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to obtain permission for the pipeline. As part of the DCO process, it will carry out three stages of consultation. Part of the process includes asking people to share feedback on the plans.

Rob Donovan, project director for the scheme, said: "This latest design includes changes made thanks to community feedback gathered from both previous stages of consultation and has also been informed by further technical and environmental work.

“We encourage local communities and authorities, as well as industry partners to share their views on these more detailed plans, to help us further develop our designs ahead of submitting our application for consent. The feedback we receive is crucial to ensuring the success of our proposals."

HyNet North West is intended to produce, store and distribute hydrogen as well as capture and store carbon from industrial sites.

Project chiefs said it will be the UK’s first 100 per cent hydrogen network. Once the final design has been developed, Cadent said it would submit an application to the Planning Inspectorate and Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero for a DCO. It expects to do so in Spring 2025, for a final decision in 2026.

Mr Donovan added: "This project is key to de-carbonising the North West and helping to reaching net zero, in addition to creating more green jobs and industry in the region."

The consultation runs until November 19 and will include eight in-person  events, along with two online events. Visit Cadent’s online consultation hub here to find out more about the project and provide feedback.