"Sorry -we got it wrong"

United Utilities today apologised to traders and residents living in and around Main Street, Cross Hills, Keighley, for disruption caused during the recent gas mains improvement work.

Northern Gas Networks invested £110,000 in replacing a 70-year-old gas main with brand new plastic pipe. The scheme was carried out by United Utilities.

Work in Main Street was completed last week and United Utilities gas engineers are now completing connections work in side streets which we are not envisaging much impact on residents.

Richard Felton, from United Utilities said: “We apologise to residents and traders for the overrunning of this scheme. We finally completed our work in Main Street last week.

“United Utilities carries out thousands of gas mains replacement schemes every year across the region and major problems are few and far between.

“However, it is clear that we got things badly wrong at Cross Hills as the scheme was beset with operational problems and delays. We could have done things a lot better and will learn from our mistakes.

“The traders and residents were very understanding and we thank them for their patience in what was a frustrating time for everyone.

“The good news is that the area now has a fantastic gas network and the new pipes should last for decades to come.”