THE cost of re-routing a major gas pipe, which has delayed work to pedestrianise a North-East town centre, will leave a "substantial shortfall" in funding for the project, a council meeting was told.

Part of the original 6.5m Darlington Pedestrian Heart scheme plans will now be changed as a way of accommodating the cost of diverting the 100-year-old pipe - which could be as high as 780,000.

The Leader of Darlington Borough Council, Councillor John Williams, called for an urgent investigation into how the pipe was not detected before the project was started last year.

Councillors at a full council meeting agreed that plans for the chronological lighting of buildings on High Row - which would have cost 140,000 to install - should be postponed. Additional funding of up to 640,000 will also be released if needed.

The meeting heard that officials are looking at all options of saving money in creating the Pedestrian Heart, which is expected to be delayed by at least four months because of the gas main.

John Buxton, the councils director of development and environment, said: "We have tried to identify where there is potential for saving money, to help contribute towards the cost of work.

"However, that still leaves a substantial shortfall in funding to pay for the cost of the diversion of the gas main and consequent reprogramming that will be required."

Councillor Williams said that whilst information about below-ground pipes and cables was often "sketchy at best," reasons for the unexpected Pedestrian Heart delay must be given.

"There must be a full investigation, specifically into how the position of the gas pipe failed to be detected during preliminary checks," he said. "As Leader, I am very anxious at this. We need to get to the bottom of this as soon as we can."

Councillor Tony Richmond, leader of the Conservative opposition, backed calls for an investigation, but said it needed further construction of the Pedestrian Heart needed to be properly managed.

"This is not the forum to apportion blame but I think we have to have assurance that during the time it will take to complete a report, we have to make sure work is carried out with the full experience of the project management team," he said.

Councillors agreed the issue should be referred to one of the authoritys scrutiny committees for more detailed discussion.