AN upgrade to Ilkley's gas distribution network has started and is likely to last around eight weeks.

The North of England’s gas distributor, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), is investing £91,000 to upgrade the network in and around St James Road, Ilkley.

It is part of NGN’s ongoing development of infrastructure in Ilkley and will involve replacing around 675m of existing metal gas mains with more durable plastic pipes, to ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to customers in the area.

This project began on Monday and is anticipated to finish on August 18. It has been planned in conjunction with Bradford Council to ensure the scheme is completed with as little disruption as possible.

Works will be carried out in phases with Brook Street, junction of Railway Road, Oakburn Road, Parish Ghyll Road, Grove Park, Grove Road and Eaton Road all being affected.

To complete the work safely and efficiently, some traffic management measures will be necessary.

A closure will be introduced on Railway Road for around two weeks from Monday, June 26.

A road closure will then be placed on Parish Ghyll Road for three weeks from Monday, July 17, with the final closure introduced on Oakburn Road for two weeks from Monday, August 7.

Signed diversion routes will be displayed for motorists.

NGN’s Customer Care officers have been door-knocking local businesses and residents to update them on progress and provide details of the traffic management plans.

Engineers will be working from Monday to Friday between 8am and 4.30pm and NGN will continue to provide updates as the project progresses.

Ian Cunningham, Construction Services Area Manager Northern Gas Networks said: “We have been working closely with Bradford Council to carefully plan these works to minimise any disruption to customers.

“We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused during these works, and thank our customers for their patience and support in getting them completed as quickly as possible.”

For further information about the project contact NGN’s Customer Care team on 0800 040 7766 or email customercare@northerngas.co.uk

Anyone that smells gas or suspects Carbon Monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.