AN urgent meeting has been called after it was revealed two major projects are to begin in Accrington at the same time.

Gas company Transco is set to move into the town centre as part of a multi-million pound package to improve the gas supply system in the North West.

But the work -- which could take up to a year to complete -- is set to clash with the town centre regeneration board's market redevelopment project.

Transco, the gas pipeline company, is investing £56million this year replacing old iron gas mains in the North West and work to replace the gas pipeline between Whalley Road and Manchester Road is scheduled to begin on Monday, February 11. This will involve replacing a 1,200m length of gas main at a cost of £148,000.

David Law, principal engineer for Hyndburn Borough Council's traffic and transportation department, said Transco want to do the work as quickly as possible.

But initial work on the market and shopping centre development is set to begin a month later when flower beds in Broadway will be removed to make way for a series of new kiosks to be built down the centre of the street.

Work on the £8million project by Leicester-based developer Helical Retail and Accrington Broadway, a company set up by Bilsdale Properties to undertake and finance the development, is expected to be completed by May 2003.

Peter Britcliffe, Hyndburn Council leader, said: "It is understandable that Transco needs to remove the pipeline and council staff will do their utmost to minimise disruption. It is better that any disruption takes place now than after the completion of our town centre development."

A meeting for members of the town centre regeneration board's transport and access working group has been arranged to discuss potential problems with the two projects running simultaneously. This meeting, to be held early next week, will be attended by all of the major town centre stakeholders including traders, police council officers and councillors.

Transco is also talking to the police and the local authority to draw up detailed plans which should minimise the impact.