A gas company has warned of some disruption on roads in Clitheroe as work is carried out to replace gas pipelines, some of which are around 100 years old.

According to a letter sent out to residents, Cadent’s project started on Monday (July 22) and is expected to last for around three months.

Temporary traffic management arrangements will be in place at the junction of Chatburn Road, York Street and Well Terrace.

There will also be a lane closure in Chatburn Road, near Warwick Drive.

This work is linked to an £80 million package of work announced by Cadent earlier this year.

Mark Syers, head of investment planning for the north west at Cadent, said the replacement gas pipelines will “last for generations to come”.

He said: “This work involves upgrading some of the oldest gas pipelines in the north west, dating to the 1920s.

“While safe now, they are noticeably requiring more frequent repairs and maintenance – which brings disruption to the local community each time we visit.

“It’s time to call an end to that by replacing these old pipes with tough new plastic ones, which will last for generations to come.

“These pipes distribute gas to thousands of homes in the local area, for warmth in winter, as well as for hot water and cooking."

Cadent says gas supply may be disrupted for a short period of time at some properties but says it will be back on the same day it goes off.

Mark added: “Gas will stay on at all times – there should be no interruption to supply, apart from a number of homes which take a direct feed from these pipes.

“With advance notice, supply will go off for a short period to these properties. It will be back on the same day it goes off.

“This is all part of an £80m package of work we announced earlier this year, for the year, which involves us upgrading around 260 miles of gas pipes in North West England – around six miles of which are in the Ribble Valley Council area.

“The work involves replacing pipes that run either under roads, or footpaths, so we do need some temporary traffic management arrangements for safety reasons.

"This project, which includes traffic lights on the junction of Chatburn Road, York Street and Well Terrace, and a lane closure on Chatburn Road, near Warwick Drive.

“We appreciate these are busy roads and have worked hard with Lancashire County Council to agree to arrangements that can keep everyone safe and keep traffic flowing as best we can.

"This includes carrying out a large proportion of work in the school summer holiday period, to minimise disruption.

“We would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding while we carry out this critical upgrade of the local gas network.”