A LITTLE mole is helping to lay a new gas main to Edgworth to help minimise disruption to residents and road users.

This hard working mole is not the cute furry variety but a remote controlled drilling head.

It is being used by Transco, the company which operates and maintains the national gas pipeline system.

Transco started work this week on a project to lay a new 3.2km gas main to meet the growing demand for gas in Edgworth.

Although the mole will be used for much of the work, some road restrictions and closures will be in operation during the project, which will be completed by September.

The main will be laid from Berry's Garden Centre in Turton Road, Tottington, through the crossroads by Turton Heights, along Knotts Brow and Bury Road to finish in front of the White Horse pub on Bolton Road, Edgworth.

Some road closures will be necessary in the Knotts Brow area but these will be kept to a minimum. Elsewhere, lane restrictions and temporary traffic lights will be in use.

Network Operations Manager for Transco, David Abrahams, said: "We will be using the latest technology to keep the amount of digging we do to a minimum. This is an important project and one which will ensure that the people of Edgworth can continue to rely on a safe and efficient gas supply."

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