MOTORISTS and bus passengers are set to face months of disruption due to major works to replace ageing gas mains in Bradford.

The £300,000 upgrade to the city's gas distribution network is being carried out by Northern Gas Networks (NGN), and work in some areas could last until November.

NGN said the project was part of its ongoing development of infrastructure in the area, with 871m of existing metal gas mains in North Avenue, Manningham Lane and Midland Road to be replaced with more durable plastic pipes, to ensure a "safe and reliable" gas supply in the future.

The first phase of the scheme has been planned in conjunction with Bradford Council, with work scheduled to coincide with the supposed "quieter school holiday period."

Ian Cunningham, construction services area manager at NGN, said: "We have been working closely with Bradford Council to carefully plan these works, and will be doing all we can to minimise any disruption caused.

"The project has been planned so that it is carried out in two phases, with the first phase due to finish in August and the second phase in early November.

"In order to complete the works as quickly as possible engineers will be working seven days a week from 8am to 5pm."

Work from the junction of North Avenue to the junction of Manningham Lane began yesterday, and is set to last approximately ten weeks.

For the work to be carried out safely, one lane of Queens Road will be closed for about eight weeks, affecting motorists travelling from Manningham Lane, with a signed diversion now in place.

Passengers have been warned to expect delays to bus services in the area, and NGN said it liaised with companies to make them aware of the potential impact on services.

The second phase of the works, from the junction of Midland Road to the junction of Manningham Lane, is due to start on September 7 and last for about eight weeks.

"We know that no-one likes roadworks, and we want to take this opportunity to apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank customers in the area for their continued patience," said Mr Cunningham.

"Our team of customer care officers have been door-knocking residents in the area to make them aware of the work.

"We’re asking customers who live in Queens Road to park at the rear of their properties while the lane closure is in place, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused."

All footpaths surrounding the works will remain open, with a temporary pedestrian crossing put in place in Queens Road during the first eight weeks of the project.

NGN's replacement programme aims to upgrade 3,800km of its 37,000km network of gas mains with modern plastic equivalents by 2021.

For further information on the project, contact NGN’s customer care team on 0800 040 7766.