TRAFFIC delays will be inevitable later this year when a pipe-laying scheme gets under way.

Transco is investing £50m on improving the North West's supply network, which will include laying 3,260 metres of pipes costing £416,228 in Mosley Common.

But Transco, which is replacing 265,000 iron gas mains with plastic ones, has pledged that every effort will be made to keep disruption -- caused by roadworks in Bridgewater Road -- to a minimum.

In many cases, special techniques will be used which drive pipelines below road surfaces without the need to dig trenches.

Transco asset general manager Chris Murray said: "Inevitably there will be some disruption, but hopefully people will agree that this is a small price to pay for an improved gas supply network." IN THE PIPELINE: Transco's Chris Murray, with some of the 3,260 metres of pipeline being laid in Bridgewater Road