Major engineering work started to install 500 metres of new underground gas mains in Ulverston in a 10-week project.
Teams from Cadent, which manages North West England’s 21,000-mile gas distribution network, are now operating in Priory Road.
The project will resolve historic gas pressure issues customers have experienced locally and ensure the network can meet demand from new housing.
To keep the road open, and as the teams are working in the carriageway with heavy machinery, traffic lights have been set up to manage a safe flow of vehicles.
There should be no interruption to gas supply during the project, it said.
This is part of an £800m, five-year North West investment programme to ensure safety and reliability of gas distribution in the region.
Kevin Thompson, Cadent’s customer operations area manager for Cumbria, said: “This is essential work, to ensure we can meet the 24-seven, year-round demand for gas to heat homes and other buildings, as well as for hot water and cooking.
“This is an A-road with 40mph speed limits in places and we simply can’t ensure safety if we don’t introduce traffic management. We hope people understand and we appreciate their patience as we get this work done.”