TEMPORARY traffic lights will be in place on a road near Ulverston for more than two months as works are carried out to resolve gas pressure issues.

Major engineering work started on Monday, July 26 in Priory Road, near Ulverston, to install 500-metres of new underground gas mains, to help safely deliver gas to thousands of homes.

The project, from gas company Cadent, which manages North West England’s 21,000-mile gas distribution network, aims to resolve historic gas pressure issues customers have experienced locally and ensure the network can meet demand from new housing.

To keep the road open, and as the teams are working in the carriageway with heavy machinery, traffic lights have been set up to manage a safe flow of vehicles.

Cadent has said there should be no interruption to gas supply during the ten-week project.

The works are part of an £800m, five-year North West investment programme to ensure safety and reliability of gas distribution in the region.

The gas company has also said modernising the network in this way helps to prepare it for the introduction of hydrogen, which will aid the UK reach targets to achieve net zero carbon emissions-hydrogen emits zero carbon at point of use.

Kevin Thompson, Cadent’s Customer Operations Area Manager for Cumbria, said: “This is essential work, to ensure we can meet the 24/7, year-round demand for gas to heat homes and other buildings, as well as for hot water and cooking.

“This is an A-road with 40mph speed limits in places and we simply can’t ensure safety if we don’t introduce traffic management.

“We hope people understand and we appreciate their patience as we get this work done.

“The good news is that this has long-term benefits for all – short-term disruption that solves a long-standing issue with gas pressures.”