MAJOR traffic disruptions are expected in Darwen as workmen replace 660 metres of gas pipes beneath the town.

Commuters and residents are expected to be affected by the £120,000 scheme which starts at the end of July and is expected to end by October.

The A666, together with Redearth Road, Hardman Way, Bridge Street and Church Street will be affected and temporary traffic lights used at the junction of Bolton Road and Church Street.

Christine Stanford, licensee of The Circus pub on Bolton Road, said: "It's bound to have a bad effect on the traffic which is already horrendous on Bolton Road. I live above the pub so it will be noisy. Running a pub, you don't get much sleep anyway but this could make it a lot worse."

Frank Helliwell, of Helliwell's shoe repair shop on Bridge Street, said: "We'll have to wait and see what happens but traffic is already terrible on Bolton Road.

"I cross it every night and take my life into my own hands so I'd hate to think of it getting worse."

Accountant Frank Shaw, 37, of Greenway Street, who commutes daily from Darwen to Bolton, said: "It's going to be impossible to make it into Bolton in less than 45 minutes. I think they will really hold everything up."

Transco liaised with Blackburn with Darwen Council to manage traffic and talks have been held with Blackburn Buses and Sainsbury's because new gas mains will be inserted near Darwen bus station and the superstore.

Jon Butterworth, Transco North West director, said: "The work we are doing will allow the people of Darwen to carry on taking gas for granted.

"We understand that people get frustrated by work carried out by utilities but the supplies that we rely on don't appear in our homes by magic.

"There is a vast network of pipes, mains and cables in place to deliver them to us and we do need to carry out work to maintain them."

A total of 363km of pipeline will be replaced across the North West with a main focus on Lancashire towns.

Coun Dave Smith, of Sunnyhurst ward, said: "It is obviously essential work but I hope that Transco cause as little inconvenience to people as possible by scheduling their work with maximum consideration."