A £2 million gasworks scheme will get under way in Kingswinford at the end of next month.

Motorists are being warned to expect delays, road closures and temporary traffic lights. The work is scheduled to end at the beginning of 2009.

But work will be suspended during the Christmas period in a bid to alleviate holiday congestion. Residential streets as well the busy High Street and Stream Road on the A491 will be dug up as workers from the West Midlands Gas Alliance replace old metal pipes in the area with new plastic ones.

Traders in the area have hit out at the plans, saying they fear more shoppers will stay away while the work is being carried out.

Rob Newey, who has a butchers shop in Townsend Place, said that news of the looming gas works 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?” he added.

National Grid spokeswoman Jane Taylor confirmed that work would start towards the end of August.

She added: “We don’t envisage it will be highly disruptive for traffic as most of the work will be carried out on residential roads.

“But there will be some traffic problems on the main roads.

“We will be using a new technique where we push the new pipes through the old pipes,” Mrs Taylor added.

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

Mrs Taylor said road closures and temporary traffic lights were planned during the works and details would be announced nearer the time.

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

Detailed plans showing the different phases of the scheme will also be put on display at Kingswinford Library in Market Street when the work gets under way.

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