WORK to replace more than 500 metres of gas pipes in Bradford will start on Monday, costing almost £130,000 and lasting ten weeks.

Northern Gas Networks, which distributes has across the north of England, is starting the work on January 7 in Idle.

The £129,000 investment will see the ageing metallic gas piping in part of the village replaced with new durable plastic pipes.

A total of 542 metres of metal piping will be removed and replaced with plastic pipes, which will provide a safe supply of gas to the area for years to come.

The work is taking place in the Westfield Lane area of the village, with various road closures and other traffic management systems being enforced over the next three months to ensure the work can be carried out safely and efficiently.

Anna Mycoe, business operations lead for Northern Gas Networks, said: “We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused during these work.

“We thank our customers for their patience and support in getting them completed as quickly as possible.

From Monday, there will be a road closure in Westfield Lane on its junction with High Street for three weeks. A fully signed diversion will be in place for motorists to follow.

From Monday, January 28, four way temporary traffic lights will be places on the junction of Westfield Lane/Highfield Road and High Street, for approximately two weeks.

This will then move to two way lights on High Street for another two weeks, from Monday, February 11.

The temporary lights will then return to a four way system on the roundabout connecting High Street, New Street and Idlecroft Road from Sunday, February 24, which will be in place for two weeks.

Community care officers from Northern Gas Networks have been in the local area recently speaking with businesses and residents that will be affected by the works, to make them aware of the upcoming disruption.

Northern Gas Networks manages 37,000 kilometres - almost 23,000 miles - of piping across Bradford and northern England, providing gas to 2.7 million homes.

It is currently undertaking ongoing upgrades of its gas network across the north of the country.

Some metal pipes have been providing gas to homes for decades, and have reached the end of their useful life, so are being replaces with plastic pipes which are more durable than their metal predecessors and are also better for the environment as they reduce the amount of greenhouse gases being emitted.

Anyone who smells gas or suspects carbon monoxide is asked to call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24-hours a day, seven days a week.