A GAS leak will close a major city centre street in Southampton for several weeks this month, causing major disruption.

A section of Above Bar Street by the Cenotaph will closed from today for repairs to the main after members of the public reported a strong smell of gas.

Southern Gas Network (SGN) say that their engineers will need to dig out a whole section of gas main between Commercial Road and Cumberland Place.

Cars and public transport will be diverted with motorists being encouraged to find alternative routes through the city centre.

Several Bluestar Bus services will be affected with Bluestar 1, Bluestar 2 and U1 services being diverted via New Road, East Park Terrace, Brunswick Place and London Road in both directions, while Unlink services will divert via Cumberland Place and London Road.

A spokesperson from SGN said: “We are abandoning a section of gas main after it was found to be faulty and replacing it brand new.

“After assessing the situation we will have to do a full closure of the road, which will take several weeks.

“We appreciate that it will cause disruption and we apologise for any inconvenience caused during the works.”

A spokesperson from Southampton City Council added: “SGN are carrying out essential repairs to part of the network. We will work with SGN to ensure the works are completed as soon as possible, with minimum disruption to road users and businesses.”

The road will be shut from 9.30am today and is set to reopen on Thursday, April 20 in time for the Southampton Marathon on Sunday, April 23.