WORK on a major new gas pipeline for East Lancashire has started after it was delayed for nine months because of the foot and mouth outbreak.

Bosses at Transco, the gas distribution company which is building the pipeline, delayed the start of construction work on the £30m pipeline by nine months because of the crisis.

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

The 29km pipe stretches from Samlesbury to Helmshore and cuts through the county's countryside.

Measuring one metre in diameter, the structure will cross the M65, A666 -the main route through Darwen - the Blackburn to Preston railway, 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.

A spokesman for Transco said: "Work has inevitable been delayed by the foot and mouth crisis but we are now ready to get to work."

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.

When it was announced, Coun Paul Browne, leader of the Liberal Democrats in Darwen raised fears about the effect on traffic in the town.

He said: "It is sensible that they delayed the pipeline because of the foot and mouth crisis, but it's bad news for Darwen because the whole thing has been delayed and put on the back burner rather than being dealt with.

"You can't really argue with the decision, though, in the circumstances."

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 was allowed on the peat moor and a special membrane was 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.

A Transco agricultural representative will be on hand during and after construction and reinstatement and will continue to be available for advice and assistance in future years.

An archaeological plan has also been drawn up to mitigate the affect on historically significant areas including the crossing of the Manchester to Ribchester Roman road which will be crossed at Grimehills Moor and the site of a World War II aircraft crash on Wives Hill.

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