Northern Gas Networks (NGN), the gas distributor for the North of England, is to carry out gas mains improvement work from Monday 10 August, on Bar Lane in Garforth, Leeds.

The essential work will take six weeks to complete and involves replacing 400m of ageing metal gas main with brand-new plastic pipes, to ensure a safe and reliable gas supply to homes and businesses in the area. The ageing main has undergone several recent emergency repairs, so has now been prioritised for urgent replacement.

The work has been planned in collaboration with Leeds City Council.

In order for engineers to carry out the work safely and efficiently, and to protect members of the public, some traffic management measures will be necessary.

Bar Lane bridge leading to Garforth will be closed to traffic from Monday 10 August for approximately two weeks. A signposted diversion will be in place so that motorists can use an alternative route. When the road has reopened, there will then be two-way temporary traffic lights in two places on Bar Lane; at the junction with White Rose Avenue, and with Bar Mount. These traffic lights will be place for approximately four weeks.

To ensure the safety of colleagues, customers and the community, the majority of the work is being carried out in the street, following Government guidelines for safe distance working wherever possible. There are also extra safety measures in place to keep everyone safe and ensure that the work is Covid-19 secure.

James Knox, Business Operations Lead for Northern Gas Networks, said: “We have worked closely with Leeds City Council to plan this essential work.  We appreciate that no one likes roadworks, but this project is vital to maintain a safe and reliable gas supply to homes and businesses in this area of Leeds.

“We want to assure members of the public and road users that we will be working hard to complete this scheme as safely and as quickly as possible.”

As well as NGN’s critical service (which include responding to gas emergencies, carrying out emergency repairs and critical maintenance activities) engineers are carrying out work to upgrade critical infrastructure, including planned work to replace ageing metal gas pipes, where most of the work can be carried out safely in the street.

Engineers will only request entry to a customer’s property if it is absolutely necessary in order to ensure their safety, the continuity of a safe gas supply or at a customer’s request. Customers can read more about our Covid Secure Promise at here.

More information about the steps that NGN is taking to keep customers and colleagues safe during the Coronavirus pandemic can be found at www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk

For further information about the work on Bar Lane, customers can contact NGN’s Customer Care Team on 0800 040 7766 or email: customercare@northerngas.co.uk

Anyone that smells gas or suspects carbon monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24-hours a day, seven days a week.