MOTORISTS around Burnley will face hold ups later this year as several key routes are dug up as part of a £5million project to replace ageing gas mains.

Bosses at National Grid say that the programme will mean that the pipework does not have to be replaced for another 80 years.

But the 12-month programme will affect main streets across the town centre, including Centenary Way and Active Way.

Around 40 kilometres of mains are set to be ripped out and Cog Lane, Coal Clough Lane, Manchester Road and Rossendale Road, some of the oldest roads in the borough.

John Edwards, project spokesman, said: “The gas pipes which run beneath the streets of Burnley have served us well but the time has now come to replace them.

“We know that this will be a nuisance, but the new pipes are designed to last at least 80 years once we get them in the ground.

The work is being managed by the North West Gas Alliance, a partnership between National Grid and construction giants Balfour Beatty.

Mr Edwards said: “Over recent years, we have sometimes made repeat visits to the same areas to carry out gas mains replacement.

“But now our engineers will mainly concentrate on specific locations, replacing several kilometres of gas main over a period of months.”

National Grid said it would try to keep road problems to a minimum and signpost diversions around the most intensive works.

“We will do everything we can to keep traffic moving while we are working and also to make sure local businesses can continue to operate as normal, “ added Mr Edwards.

Similar works are already planned for Chorley and a major sewer replacement programme has been earmarked for Blackburn.