Cadent Gas has said it hopes to complete the A57 Mottram Moor gas works in mid-July, approximately six weeks ahead of schedule. 

Engineers have been installing a large section of new gas pipe - the equivalent length of more than 14 football pitches - in the notoriously busy area of Mottram since 4 April.

The project was initially due to last 20 weeks, until the end of August. 

But a spokesperson for Cadent Gas has said the work is "now in the latter stages". 

A statement continued: "We have now fully connected and installed the new 1.4km of pipe and are preparing for the final tests, prior to fully integrating this pipe to our existing network. This will secure the supply to the immediate area for years to come.

"Over the next couple of weeks, we will be completing all reinstatement and replacing the tarmac we have disturbed. The last section will be on the excavation on the middle of Mottram Moor, where our valve is located.

"Once the reinstatement is complete, we will be cleaning the site. Whilst we do this you will see an increase in road sweepers. We will then be clearing Mottram Moor of all of our signing, lighting and guarding and handing the whole area back to the public.

"The team have worked extremely hard to hopefully complete this project ahead of schedule by approximately six weeks."

Cadent Gas also thanked local authorities and the public for their patience and understanding throughout the project. 

A spokesperson added: "Cadent would like to thank Tameside Council and National Highways, who have supported us throughout.

"There is also a huge thank you to everyone who, one way or another, has been impacted by this. We know you've endured delays whilst travelling through our works. It will not be long now until things are back to normal." 

The Reporter and Chronicle were invited recently to take a closer look at the work, including a section of work at the side of Woolley Lane and under one lane of the four-lane carriageway on Mottram Moor where new pipe – around the width of a car tyre in size – is being installed.

You can read more about that here.