The north of England’s gas distributer, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), is investing around £190,000 to upgrade the ageing metal gas distribution network in Wakefield Road, Back Chapel Lane, and Smith Lane, Moldgreen, Huddersfield.

The major project is part of NGNs’ ongoing development of infrastructure in the area and will involve replacing around 350m of existing metal gas mains with more durable plastic pipes to ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to our customers in the area for years to come.

The project, which will commence on Monday 22 August and last approximately 12 weeks, has been planned in conjunction with Kirklees Council to ensure all works are completed with as little disruption as possible.

Paul Jagger, Construction Services Area Manager for Northern Gas Networks said: “We have been working closely with Kirklees Council to carefully plan the major part of these works during school holidays in order to minimise any disruption caused.

The project will start on Monday 22 August on Wakefield Road at the junction of Back Chapel Lane.  This first phase of work is expected to last around one week.  There will be a staggered lane closure in place with both carriageways being reduced to one lane at separate intervals.  Traffic flow will be maintained on both sides of the carriageway, however some delays are expected.

From Monday 29 August work will continue onto Wakefield Road with part of the work taking place directly outside LIDL. Some of the parking bays outside Westmount Veterinary Surgery will be temporarily suspended during this part of the work which is expected to take around three days.  The outside lane of the outbound carriageway will also be closed during this time however the inside lane will remain open.  Once this section of the work is complete we will be reducing the inbound carriageway to one lane for a further three days.  One of these lanes will be reopened for the final part of this phase which is planned to take place week commencing Monday 29 August.

NGN engineers will begin to work at the junction of Wakefield Road and Smithy Lane on Monday 5 September.  There will be a lane closure on the inbound carriageway and Smithy Lane will also be reduced to one lane at the junction of Wakefield Road.  As the works progress along Wakefield Road, the inbound carriageway will be reduced to one lane at the junction of Poplar Street.  Traffic flow will be maintained, however road users are being warned to expect some delays.

On Monday 12 September both lanes will be reopened on Smithy Lane however just one lane will be reopen on the inbound carriageway of Wakefield Road between properties 172 – 182.  The lane will remain closed the following week commencing 19 September while work continues from outside 182 Wakefield Road to the junction of Poplar Street.

From week commencing 26  September we will be working on Back Chapel Lane for four weeks.  During this time a staggered road closure will be in place where we will close 80m sections of road at a time.  Access will be maintained via Wakefield Road or Chapel Street.

Moving into week commencing 17 October, we will begin works at the junction of Chapel Street and Old Wakefield Road, this will last approximately one week during which time one lane will be closed and temporary two way traffic lights will be in place to manage traffic flow.

The final stage of the project will require engineers to work in the entire outbound carriageway.  In order to carry out this work safely and efficiently a contra flow system will be in place to allow traffic to safely flow in both directions.  Due to the complex nature of this part of the project the works will carried out during the weekend to minimise the disruption caused.

Finally work will conclude on an area of private land.  NGN has liaised closely with the land owner and members of the public will not be affected. Engineers will also return to the junction of Chapel Street and Old Wakefield Road to decommission the old gas main.  Traffic will not be affected.

Engineers will be working seven days a week from 8am – 5pm in order to complete these works as quickly as possible.

NGN will endeavour to maintain pedestrian access at all times and shops and businesses will remain open as usual.

Paul Continued: “We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused during these works, and would like to thank customer for their patience and support while we work to complete the project as quickly as possible.”

For further information about the project please contact NGN’s Customer Care team on 0800 040 7766, option 7 or email customercare@northerngas.co.uk

Anyone that smells gas or suspects Carbon Monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.