The north of England’s gas distributer, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), is investing £160,000 to upgrade the ageing gas distribution network at Manchester Road in Linthwaite, Huddersfield.

The major project is part of NGN’s ongoing development of infrastructure in the area and will involve replacing more than a kilometre 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 will begin on Monday 24 October and last around 12 weeks, has been planned in conjunction with Kirklees Council Highways Authority to ensure all works are carried out with as little disruption to customers as possible. Customer Care officers have doorknocked local businesses to make them aware of the work and provide detailed information.

Engineers will begin the scheme on Bargate on 24 October, and in order to carry out this section of work as safely and efficiently as possible, traffic management measures will be necessary.

The existing traffic lights at the junction of Bargate and Manchester Road will be suspended, and five-way temporary signals put in place for one week. These will be manually operated at peak times to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.

The second stage of works will take place on Royds Avenue from 31 October, and this phase is expected to last around two weeks, with no traffic management required.

The third stage  will be begin on Monday 14 November, with engineers working at the junction of Manchester Road and The Riverside, moving back towards the junction of Royds Avenue.

Temporary two-way lights will be in place during this phase, which will move up Manchester Road as work progresses throughout the rest of November and December, manually operated at peak times.

Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times with engineers working Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm, with additional weekend work where required. Work will be temporarily paused during the Christmas period before the project is completed in early January 2017.

Neil Travers, Site Manager at Northern Gas Networks said: “We have been working closely with the local highways authority to carefully plan part of these works during the school holidays in order to minimise 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 safely and 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.