GAS works mean drivers using a busy road in and out of Brighouse could face delays.

Northern Gas Networks is working on a £160,000 project in Brighouse to ensure a more reliable gas supply for residents.

And the works will run until January 18 on Huddersfield Road, the main road into the town from the Bradley/Fixby roundabout.

Since the works started on Tuesday it’s meant short delays at rush hour for car drivers, while buses have been a few minutes behind schedule.

The work will see more than 800m of cast iron gas pipes replaced with a modern plastic pipe which Northern Gas Networks say are more durable.

An NGN spokeswoman said: “To allow the project to be carried out safely and for traffic to be managed effectively, adjacent two-way traffic lights will be in place in 100 metre sections for the duration of the scheme.”

Andy Irwin, customer operations regional manager at Northern Gas Networks, said: “We appreciate this is a busy road and whilst it is mainly residential properties that may be affected by our works, there may be some disruption to traffic travelling into the town for which we would like to apologise.

“We will be working as efficiently as possible to progress the works and hope to have completed 400 metres of the project before Christmas.

“To reduce disruption over the festive period we will remove the traffic lights from the site and wait until January to finish the remainder of the project.”

The improvement scheme is part of Northern Gas Networks’ rolling programme of gas mains renewal, which will see more than £91m invested during the current financial year to upgrade gas pipes across the north of England.

At the same time Calderdale Council is carrying out work to replace lamp-posts on the bridge near the railway station. That work will last until next Wednesday.

In 2010 Northern Gas Networks carried out a £50,000 scheme to replace gas pipes along another section of Huddersfield Road, Brighouse.