TWO Southampton bus companies have announced temporary diversions whilst vital repairs are carried out on a gas main in the city centre.

Bluestar and Unilink are re-routing services to allow customers access to buses whilst Southern Gas Network engineers work between Commercial Road and Cumberland Place.

Richard Tyldsley, Bluestar and Unilink general manager, said: "Although necessary, these works are presenting a challenge for car drivers and those operating and using public transport across the city centre.

“We know our passengers rely on the services we provide here, so our team has worked hard to find ways around these obstacles.

"We would like to thank people for their patience whilst the work is underway, and can reassure people that we will be continuing our services during this time.”

The section of Above Bar Street, by the Cenotaph, is closed 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.

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.”

During this time, Bluestar 1 and Bluestar 2 services are diverting via Civic Centre Road, Havelock Place and Cumberland Place.

Unilink U1 services are diverting via Havelock Road and Cumberland Place.

Unilink U2 and U2B services are diverting via Cumberland Place.

The following bus stops will not be in use for the duration:

Above Bar Street/Cenotaph (towards the Law Courts)

Replacement stop - Bedford Place, London Road

Above Bar Street/Cenotaph (towards city centre)

Replacement stop - London Road, Giddy Bridge

For U2/U2B/U2X ONLY Commercial Road (opposite Southampton Art Gallery)

Replacement stop - Mayflower Halls, Commercial Road

Civic Centre (towards University)

Replacement stop - BBC Broadcasting House/Havelock Road

Civic Centre (towards Central Station

Replacement stop - Marlands Shopping Centre/Portland Terrace