RAMBLERS today praised the company responsible for laying 30km of gas piping despite the closure of 30 footpaths.

The paths, which cross moorland around Darwen, have been closed since May as new pipeline is laid to supply thousands of homes with gas for the first time.

Patches of the moorland could be fenced off for up to five years in the scheme while work is completed to reinstate the land to its original form.

But today ramblers praised Transco North West, the company behind the work, for their efforts to keep disruption to a minimum. And local business is said to be booming thanks to trade from around 300 extra workers.

Sue Baxendale, from the Ramblers Association, said: "Only recently we were taking a 30-mile circular walk around Hyndburn Clogg and were really pleased with the way the path closures had been dealt with. The path diversions were clearly signposted and there was even a warning to the contractors to 'beware of pedestrians'.

The company claims that 28 out of 30km of pipe running from Samlesbury to Helmshore has already been laid or placed.

But the second phase of work could disrupt the area well into next year depending on the weather.

Phil Knipe, project manager, said: "We are well on track with the project and gas should be flowing in the pipes by the end of the year. We then move on to a reinstatement project where we use samples of local species to replant and recreate the same environment.

"At times the area must look like we are building a motorway but we are confident in six months time there will be no clue as to where we have been. And several local businesses, from sandwich bars, B&Bs and local shops have benefited from having all these hungry workers on site!"

Blackburn with Darwen Council confirmed that no complaints had been received from the public and work was "going well".

The high pressure pipeline, which is more than a metre in diameter, crosses 16 roads and the rivers Darwen and Roddlesworth. Anyone wanting more information about the project can ring 01254 208181.