The north of England’s gas distributer, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), is investing £145,000 to upgrade the ageing gas distribution network in Liquorice Way, Friarwood Lane and Queen Street, Pontefract.

The major project is part of NGN’s ongoing development of infrastructure in the area and will involve replacing 570m of existing metal gas mains with more durable plastic pipes, to ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to customers in the area for years to come.

In order to carry out the work with as little disruption to customers as possible, the scheme is being delivered in two phases, the first beginning Monday 31 October. This phase will last around six weeks with an estimated completion date of 9 December, having been planned in conjunction with Wakefield Council.

The first stage of the scheme will begin on Liquorice Way on Monday 31 October and take around three weeks to complete. To carry out this stage as safely and efficiently as possible, there will be three–way temporary traffic signals on Liquorice Way at the junction of Front Street and Corn Market in place for one week.

Works will then begin on Friarwood Lane on Monday 21 November and last approximately one week, with three-way temporary traffic signals in place at the junction of Grove Road. The signals will be manually operated during peak traffic flow.

On Monday 28 November, works will begin on Queen Street and take two weeks to complete marking the end of the first phase of the scheme.

The second phase will begin on Monday 4 January 2017, with more details to be released nearer to the time.

Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times with engineers working Monday to Sunday between 8am and 5pm.

Josh Hampshire, Construction Services Area Manager at Northern Gas Networks said: “We have been working closely with Wakefield Council to carefully plan the majority of these in order to minimise any disruption to customers.

“We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused during these works, and would thank our customers for their patience and support in getting them completed 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, seven days per week.