Motorists are being warned to expect delays when a £2 million gasworks scheme gets under way in the Black Country.

Residential streets as well the busy High Street and Stream Road on the A491 Kingswinford will be dug up for at least four months starting in August.

Workers from the West Midlands Gas Alliance will be replacing old metal pipes in the area with new plastic ones.

Traders have hit out at the plans fearing fewer shoppers will come through the doors while the work is being carried out.

Rob Newey, who has a butchers shop in Townsend Place, said news of the looming gasworks was a “big blow” for business.

He added: “Trade is not very good at all at the moment and this is just going to knock it further. I am not happy about it but what can you do?”

National Grid spokeswoman Jane Taylor said that an exact start date for the scheme had not yet been confirmed but added that work was expected to continue until early next year.

“We will be using a new technique where we push the new pipes through the old pipes.

“This reduces the length of time the work takes and the amount of disruption for residents,” she added.

Leaflets will be pushed through letter boxes across Kingswinford detailing the timescale of the work and notifying people about any road closures.

Dudley Council spokesman Chris Howes said: “Much of the work will take place on grass verges and side streets to minimise disruption for traffic.”