RESIDENTS of Cross Hills are bracing themselves for another set of major roadworks.

Just a month after over-running gas works finally finished, United Utilities has announced it is coming back - for another 10 weeks.

Long tailbacks are expected once again from July 9 while workmen replace 800 metres of underground gas pipe along Skipton Road.

The £100,000 project will mean the closure of Skipton Road immediately south of Kildwick Crossing to the traffic lights at the junction with Keighley Road.

Residents and business people will be able to reach their properties and, in an effort to reduce the amount of heavy traffic, a temporary HGV ban will be put on the A6068.

However, councillors, residents and traders have reacted angrily to the news and have called on the gas company to complete the work as soon as possible.

The previous works took 19 weeks and brought the village to a standstill at busy times.

County councillor Philip Barrett said: "I hope the senior management of United Utilities have finally got the message that many local people and businesses were disgusted with their poor performance with their last contract on Main Street.

"Those gas works were supposed to take six weeks, but instead lasted for over three times that. The last thing we want is a repeat of that."

He claimed the company had lacked planning and failed to communicate with residents and businesses until the work was almost completed.

Coun Barrett said he accepted the latest work was essential, but added that the closure of Skipton Road would have major implications for residents of Brown Bank Terrace and Station Road.

"The last thing people and businesses will want to see is a repetition of the company's last performance.

"I know North Yorkshire County Council Highways have worked closely with United Utilities to plan these works, but it is the company's responsibility to both manage and deliver the contract on time," he declared.

He added that he would be watching the temporary HGV ban with interest.

"I welcome the official ban on the A6068 through Cross Hills and Glusburn which will help ease this difficult situation, but I hope we can rely on the police to enforce it."

Businessman Peter Whitaker, of GE Thornton, on Main Street, said: "It's absolutely horrendous. What has Cross Hills done to deserve this? I think they must be trying to find gold or oil they've dug the roads up so many times."

Mr Whitaker said he doubted the company would complete the work on schedule.

"If they do it in 10 weeks I'll take my hat off to them, but I find it very unlikely," he added.

United Utilities, which in March was fined for over-running on the previous works by 13 weeks, has apologised in advance to residents, but stressed the £100,000 project was vital to maintain gas supplies in Cross Hills.

United Utilities network officer Steve Boast said: "We want to apologise to local people for the inconvenience that this second major project in Cross Hills will cause them. Even though it is absolutely essential, we will do everything in our power to keep them informed and keep the disruption to a minimum."

He said it was essential that Skipton Road was closed because of the safety issues involved with working closely to a busy level crossing.

"We have consulted with highways and rail officials and all agree that keeping the crossing open would pose too many risks for drivers, rail users, members of the public and our own engineers.

"However, access will be maintained to all properties at all times and we'll be strongly discouraging HGVs from trying to use Cross Hills as a through route. Pedestrians will not be affected and will be able to use the crossing as normal."

People can find out more about the work at a consultation session at Glusburn Institute from 5pm to 7pm on Wednesday. Engineers and customer liaison officers will be on hand to answer questions.