A WINDFALL of at least £26,000 gained through fines imposed on Northern Gas Networks for delayed works in Baildon should go to compensate residents for months of disruption, says a councillor.

Bradford Council is demanding the maximum penalty payment of £750-a-day from the utilities company for every working day essential gas main renewal works on West Lane, Baildon, over-run.

The penalties began on January 19, meaning the total already stands at £26,250.

"Obviously the work being done down by Sandal Primary School is very important, but it seems to have been going on for nearly a year and has caused a great amount of disruption for anyone heading to and from the Shipley Glen end," said ward councillor Debbie Davies.

"I know that the Council has imposed these running fines on Northern Gas Networks and that money has already built up to decent sum.

"And who knows how much longer they will getting £750 a day."

The Conservative councillor also discovered the terms under which any monies received by local authorities have to be spent.

"Basically, after covering the cost of recovering the penalty fees, any Council must then spend the remainder on safe, efficient and economic transport projects," she said.

"I think the money should definitely be spent in Baildon, as that's where people have suffered the impact of the gas works.

"Bradford Council should ask local residents for suggestions."

A spokesman for Northern Gas Networks said its engineers were working hard to complete the planned works.

"Work started in July 2014 and was due to end in January. Unfortunately due to unforeseen engineering difficulties, the work has been delayed.

"The replacement project is part of Northern Gas Networks' (NGN) ongoing development of infrastructure across the north of England and involves replacing approximately 1.1km of existing metallic gas main with more durable plastic pipes to ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to our customers in the area for years to come."

Customer Operations Area Manager Ian Cunningham (NGN) added: "We would like to apologise for any inconvenience this work has caused and thank members of the public for their continued patience and support.

"We anticipate that the work will be on-going until the end of March. We are working closely with the highways authority and the Council to ensure the work is done as quickly as possible."

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "Money obtained through the levying of charges can be used to pay for the cost of running the overrun charging scheme and any excess must be used to develop and implement safe, integrated, efficient and economic transport facilities and services across the district, as determined by the Council's budget setting processes and the appropriate local area committee."