BUSINESSES in York are braced for more disruption and traffic hold-ups when new gas pipe replacement work starts later this month.

As reported in The Press yesterday, the work in Hull Road is set to begin on July 24 and run for nine days, but will coincide with ongoing road closures and diversions only yards away in Lawrence Street.

A United Utilities spokesperson said that temporary traffic lights would be put in place near the Black Bull pub, and at the junction with Tang Hall Lane.

Phillippa Burns, manager of the Black Bull, said: “We haven’t had any official communication about the planned works as of yet, other than the sign that has been placed outside, but clearly we would welcome some more detail so we know what to expect.

“We appreciate that the work needs to be done, we just hope all possible steps are taken to minimise any disruption to the pub and the local community.”

United Utilities also asked residents of York to “please bear with us”, as it announced the gas works in the Lawrence Street area of the city, which were due for completion at the end of July, would continue into August.

Adrian Bradley, owner of the Barbican Guest House in Barbican Road, said the closures had not affected his business as badly as he had expected.

“We have heard it will be another few weeks, and we’re quite happy with that,” he said.

“It is not affecting us so much at the moment. We’re not losing money as much as we feared.”