A BUSY town road will be closed for about three months in the new year for a £225,000 upgrade to the gas distribution network.

The major project earmarked for Yorkersgate in Malton will involve Northern Gas Networks (NGN) replacing 740 metres of existing metal gas mains with more durable plastic pipes.

Work will begin on Monday, January 9, and last approximately 11 weeks with an estimated completion date of March 26, and has been planned in conjunction with North Yorkshire Highways.

A road closure will be introduced in Yorkersgate for about 10 weeks, however access will be maintained at all times for business deliveries.

Road closures will also be placed in Railway Street from January 9 for the same period and in Wells Lane from Monday, March 20, for one-week.

Three-way temporary traffic lights will be introduced at the junction of Castlegate and Old Maltongate from February 27 until March 19.

All bus stops at the start of the diversion will be suspended and replaced with temporary stands while the road closures are in place.

Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times and engineers will be working Monday to Friday, between 8am and 4pm.

Robert Hope, construction services area manager Northern Gas Networks, said: “We have been working closely with Ryedale District Council to carefully plan these works in order to minimise disruption to customers.

“We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused during these works, and thank our customers for their patience and support in getting these works completed as quickly as possible.”

A customer meeting will take place at the Milton Rooms, in Malton, on Monday from 4.30pm to 6pm. NGN’s Customer Care team will be available to discuss the works in more detail and answer any questions customers may have.

For more information, phone 0800 040 7766 and select option seven or email customercare@northerngas.co.uk