We got it wrong, says gas firm

From the archive, first published Wednesday 28th Mar 2007.

A gas company has held its hands up for mistakes made while laying a new gas pipeline in Cross Hills.

For months residents, traders and commuters have suffered under a £110,000 project to replace the village's 70-year-old gas main with plastic pipe.

Work commenced in November and was due to be completed by Christmas.

But instead of taking six weeks, United Utilities has taken until now to carry out the contract.

The company has now apologised for the disruption it has caused.

Work in Main Street was completed last week and gas engineers are now competing connections work in side streets.

Richard Felton, from United Utilities, said: "We apologise to residents and traders for the overrunning of this scheme."

"It is clear that we got things badly wrong at Cross Hills as the scheme was beset with operational problems and delays."