Large parts of Huddersfield town centre are to be dug up in the coming weeks.
The work is to enable engineers to replace very old iron gas mains with new, safer plastic pipes.
The first phase of the work is the controversial shutdown of Kings Bridge, at the bottom of Newsome Road, starting next week. It will be closed for several weeks.
But that will be followed over the next few months by major schemes in the town centre.
Projects include King Street, Westgate, Half Moon Street and New Street.
Northern Gas Networks (NGN) is set to invest over £400,000 to replace around 1,200km of ageing mains in the Huddersfield area with new durable plastic pipes.
The upgrades which will include a number of areas across the town are part of the company’s ongoing investment, which will see more than £6 million invested in the area’s gas pipe infrastructure by the end of the year.
The first work is at the junction of Damside and Kings Mill Lane starting on July 13.
To keep the public informed the company is holding an information stand at Kingsgate Shopping Centre. NGN staff will be there on Wednesday, July 15, between 9am and 5pm to give out information. They will repeat the exercise on Wednesday, July 22.
Paul Jagger, Construction Services Area Manager at Northern Gas Networks said; “Some of the pipes in Huddersfield urgently need replacing so that we can ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to customers in the area for years to come.
“Our Customer Care Officers will be at Kingsgate over the two days to ensure any questions regarding the upcoming projects can be answered and to give the public an opportunity to voice their opinions. We’ve planned these projects carefully in consultation with Kirklees Highway Authority to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum and we aim to complete the work as quickly as possible.”
Meanwhile Calderdale Council is to carry out essential maintenance to Law Lane and Bank Top in Southowram, between Cain Lane and the top of Southowram Bank.
Repair works will be taking place on the ageing carriageway, involving the planing and resurfacing of the road. The work is due to start on Monday, July 20, and should be completed by Friday, August 14.
To ensure the safety of road users and the workforce, it will be necessary to close the road from 8:30am to 5pm from Monday to Friday, for the duration of the works.
A diversion will be in place, directing traffic via Brighouse, Hipperholme and Halifax.
