SKIPTON town centre is likely to face disruption for several weeks at the start of the new year while work takes place to replace a main gas pipeline.

Northern Gas Networks, which is responsible for distributing gas to homes and businesses, is planning to replace the old, metal underground pipeline along the town hall side of the High Street.

Work is expected to take between six and eight week, is expected to start in January, and will involve the length of the High Street from Caroline Square to the town hall.

Although details are to be finalised, early discussions have taken place with Skipton Town Council and with market traders, with a compensation scheme likely.

The work is expected to involve some digging up of the setts, including the possibility of the stretch in front of Rackhams, which was restored two years ago.

Dave Parker, chief officer of Skipton Town Council, said: “Northern Gas Networks has notified us of the essential work planned for the High Street starting in January and it is clear that this will affect the operation of Skipton Market during this period. The council will continue to work with NGN and with our traders to minimise the impact of the works – and we will make more specific decisions about the market once we have the full details of the work.”

Northern Gas Networks, based in Leeds, is responsible for delivering gas to homes and businesses across Yorkshire, north east England and parts of Cumbria, and has a network of 23,000 miles of pipeline.

Northern Gas Networks was unable to comment about the work.