UPPER Hale residents are treading carefully, hoping not to spark a furore, with the regular strong stench of gas in the air. Scotia Gas Networks began a 1.5 kilometre project to replace the old iron pipe with a polyethylene replacement in January. But it seems the new pipe is having trouble bedding in, with regular reports of a strong, gassy smell since August. Gavin Swinden, who lives in the bottom section of the road with his wife, Sarah, and two young daughters, told The Herald: "Outside our house there is an almost constant smell of gas. "Myself and other neighbours have reported this - a man comes out walks up and down and then goes away. "I did have a chat with a gas engineer called to the scene, who told me it was classed as a category A gas leak, and that the emergency unit would have to be called out, but he told me this while smoking a cigar!" "We were under the impression that gas leaks were taken seriously. The road was closed for seven months earlier this year to replace the gas mains, but ever since then we have had the smell of escaping gas." Meanwhile, his wife, Sarah, continued: "Apparently there is a leak and it's nothing to worry about because it's 20 feet from the house. It sounds too close to comfort for me. "We have people coming and knocking on the door at all hours saying 'can you smell gas' which is nice of them, but it's worrying. Obviously, with bonfire night approaching as well, it is very serious, and people walk down the road smoking cigarettes. "We've phoned and told the gas board about it, and engineers have come out. The guy that came out last week said that there's leaks everywhere - that instills me with a lot of confidence." Neighbour Linda Pattie told a similar tale. "We've phoned the gas board and were told to open windows and keep doors open, but it's not coming from inside our house - the smell is immediately outside. "We have smelled it for some time now. People who come to visit are always pointing out the smell when they leave. "Now and again it gets really strong. It was initially very worrying but the way they are treating it they don't seem overly concerned, so we are taking that view." A spokesman from Scotia Gas Networks said: "There has been reported smell of gas in that area. Engineers have attended a few times - it hasn't been traced to the main supply and we have not been able to locate it. "They are going out today [Wednesday] to have a look at it to see if they can track it down. Hopefully we'll find it soon." Reiterating that "safety is our number one priority," she continued: "We wouldn't leave the scene if we were unhappy with it." Despite initial claims that work would finish in 22 weeks, the Scotia Gas Networks spokesman admitted that work was behind schedule. "There is still work to be done in the area. It is a substantial job, but work is ongoing. "If people are concerned about the smell of gas they should give us a call. We will respond to every reported smell of gas - we take it very seriously." Anyone alarmed about the presence of a strong smell of gas in the area should call 0800 111999.