A busy road will close to traffic for almost six weeks – and drivers are being warned in advance that it could cause hold-ups.

King’s Bridge Road in Newsome – one of the main commuter routes in and out of Huddersfield town centre – will be fully closed as Northern Gas Networks look to replace old gas pipes.

It comes less than two years after the same company carried out work in the area around the bridge – also to replace old pipes.

In October 2013 the same firm replaced old pipes at the junction, although there was single-lane access controlled by four-way traffic lights.

Motorists experienced delays of up to 40 minutes as traffic jams built up around the area.

At the time the works had meant to last three weeks, but it was two months later when the works were completed.

In the latest work King’s Bridge Road near the junction of Newsome Road is to shut to traffic between Monday, July 13 and Sunday, August 16, although it will remain open for pedestrian access.

Paul Jagger, Construction Services Area Manager for Northern Gas Networks said: “We have planned our work closely with Kirklees Council and we will be carrying out our work during school holidays to help keep traffic disruption to a minimum.

“We would like to take this opportunity to apologise in advance for any inconvenience this essential work may cause and thank members of the public for their patience and support.”

The latest works, set to cost £70,000, will see Northern Gas Networks upgrade ageing metallic gas mains to plastic pipes which they say are more durable.

The company says it is the second phase of the work – the first phase in 2013 was deemed more of a priority.

A spokesman for the firm added: “In order to carry out this work safely and efficiently it will be necessary to close Kings Bridge Road for the duration of the works.”

Newsome councillors Andrew Cooper and Julie Stewart-Turner met with Kirklees Highways staff and Northern Gas Networks representatives to discuss the project and to see how disruption to the closure of the busy entry point to the town centre can be kept to a minimum.

Clr Cooper said: “There will be diversion routes and signs around the area to inform motorists ahead of time.”