MOTORISTS have been advised to expect delays as engineers carry out an emergency gas repair on a busy main road.

Northern Gas Networks began to carry out the gas mains repair on the A693 Chester Road, in Stanley, today.

Work is expected to last a number of days.

A spokesman for the company said a team had been on site investigating the cause of a gas escape throughout the last week and are now carrying out repairs to the pipe.

Gas supply to local properties has not been affected.

In order to carry out the work safely and efficiently, it has been necessary to suspend the three-way traffic lights on Chester Road/Front Street at the junctions of Humber Hill and East Street.

Four four-way temporary lights have been introduced and will be in place until the repair is completed.

It’s expected motorists will experience delays in journey times due to the traffic management in place, so are advised to leave extra time for travel.

Andy Coates, site manager for NGN, said: “The safety of the public and our engineers is our number one priority and in order for us to carry out the repair as quickly and safely as we can, it’s necessary to introduce these four-way lights.

“We’d like to apologise for any inconvenience customers may experience and thank everyone for their patience and support as we look to complete this work as quickly as possible.”

For more information about the works contact NGN’s customer care team on 0800-040-7766 option 7, or email customercare@northerngas.co.uk