The north of England’s gas distributer, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), is investing £205,000 to upgrade the ageing metal gas distribution network in and around Hungate, Pickering.

The major project is part of NGN’s ongoing development of infrastructure in the area and will involve replacing nearly 700m 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.

The project, which began on Monday 23 January and is expected to last around 12 weeks, has been planned in conjunction with North Yorkshire County Council Highways and Ryedale District Council to ensure all works are completed with as little disruption to customers as possible.

On Friday 24 February, the lane closure on Hungate between Southgate and Eastgate was removed, meaning the market will return to its original position on Market Place.

Phase Two will begin on Monday 27 February and will last around seven weeks. During this phase there will be four-way temporary traffic lights in place from the junction of Hungate and Southgate for around two weeks.

Two-way temporary lights will be placed on Vivis Lane between Hungate and Troutbeck Close from March 6, remaining in place for around two weeks.

A road closure will also be introduced on Vivis Lane between Troutbeck Close and Goslipgate on Monday 20 March. This will be in place for around four weeks.

Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times and engineers will work from Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm.

A customer drop-in clinic continues take place at the Vivis Lane car park every Monday from 10am, where the NGN team are available to speak to customers about the project and answer questions.

Robert Hope, Construction Services Area Manager Northern Gas Networks said: “We have been working closely with North Yorkshire County Council to carefully plan these works in order to minimise any disruption to customers.

“We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused during these works, and 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, 7 days per week.