BOSSES at the company building a massive new gas pipeline across East Lancashire have launched a special hotline for people worried about the impact of the work.

Transco -- which is building the 29km pipe from Samlesbury to Helmshore -- says it has issued the telephone number to reassure residents living near the route of the construction work.

Building on the £30million pipeline started last month after it was delayed for nine months because of the foot and mouth outbreak.

Preliminary work is now under way with major work due to start in April next year.

Measuring one metre in diameter, the structure will cross the M65, A666 -- the main route through Darwen -- the Blackburn to Preston railway line, the Leeds and Liverpool canal and the rivers Darwen and Roddlesworth.

Transco officials said the pipe was necessary because the gas network in East Lancashire was approaching capacity.

They said they had addressed environmental issues by liaising with local councils, the Environment Agency, English Nature, English Heritage and a number of wildlife groups.

A spokesman said: "Transco commissioned a detailed environmental review as part of the planning process and this took account of the potential direct and indirect impact on every aspect of the environment.

"The crossing of peat moorland at Darwen Moor, Cranberry Moss, Aushaw Moss and Musden Head Moor caused particular problems. "The route was changed to ensure it avoided the deepest peat and most ecologically sensitive areas.

"Special working techniques will include a specialist sub-contractor who will remove the heather or grass layer, together with the top layer of peat, keep it moist and then relay it a few days later following construction of the pipeline."

Only essential plant and machinery is allowed on the peat moor and a special membrane will be used to cover heather and peat and protect it from damage.

Stockproof fencing will prevent the areas from grazing following the re-seeding.

Two thirds of the pipeline's route is through agricultural land and compensation has been agreed in advance with landowners and occupiers.

Where the pipeline crosses major roads, rivers and railways the contractors are using advanced tunnelling techniques to keep disruption to a minimum.

The hotline number to ring for further information is 01254 208181.