DRIVERS will face 12 weeks of misery on one of Huddersfield’s busiest roads from April 14.

A massive scheme to replace old gas mains will mean a half-mile stretch of the road will be closed to traffic heading towards Huddersfield.

The shutdown will mean thousands of motorists will have to make long detours to make the journey between the Ainley Top roundabout, a key junction of the M62, and the Cavalry Arms traffic lights, Lindley.

But Northern Gas Networks insist the work is essential, for safety and to improve service.

They say hundreds of homes and businesses in Birchencliffe will benefit from the £125,000 spend to upgrade their gas supply – part of a £5m improvement scheme.

It will secure the safety and reliability of gas supplies in the area for years to come.

The essential project is being carried out by United Utilities and Enterprise Ltd on behalf of Northern Gas Networks, the region’s gas pipeline company.

This year Northern Gas Networks will invest £5m in the Kirklees area to replace more than 36.5km (22.7 miles) of old metal gas mains.

The Halifax Road scheme involves replacing more than 800-metres of old metal gas mains with modern plastic pipe on a section of the A629.

Work will be carried out in three phases and is expected to take around 12 weeks to complete.

An information session for residents and traders is being held at St Philips Community Centre, Briarlyn Road, between 5 and 7.30pm on Wednesday, March 3.

During the project, it will be necessary to close short sections of the A629 for traffic travelling from Halifax and the M62 towards Huddersfield.

A one-way system and diversion will be put in place and temporary traffic lights will be in operation.

Two-way access from side roads will be maintained wherever possible. Access to businesses affected by the work will be retained throughout the project as will pedestrian routes.

Mark Chapman from United Utilities said: “The Halifax Road project is vital for the continued safety and reliability of gas supplies to homes and businesses in Huddersfield.”

“We appreciate no-one likes to be faced with roadworks and the closure of sections of the in-bound lane on the Halifax Road will inevitably cause some disruption, but we will do everything we can to keep this to an absolute minimum.

“Where possible, we will be using the very latest technology to help minimise the amount of digging we need to do in the road and the amount of time we spent on the project.”

The work will be carried out in three phases, each lasting approximately four weeks.

The first phase will cover the road between the Ainley Top Roundabout and the BP garage.

The second phase runs from the garage to Shire Link Van Hire.

The final phase will be between Shire Link Van Hire and the junction of Birkby Road at the Cavalry Arms.