A BUSY Southampton road is to close for one month as part of 12 weeks of gas works.

Victoria Road in Woolston will be closed on Monday until the beginning of February to allow SGN to carry out works on the gas network, which could take up to 12 weeks.

The road will be closed from January 6 to February 9 from the junction with Portsmouth Road to the junction at Keswick Road.

Gas distribution company SGN will be upgrading the gas network by replacing the existing metal gas mains with new plastic pipe as part of an ongoing programme of essential work developed with the Health and Safety Executive.

The new plastic pipes are expected to have a minimum lifespan of 80 years, meaning that businesses and homes in the area will have reliable gas for many years to come.

Following "close consultation" with Southampton City Council, the project will start on Monday and last approximately 12 weeks.

It will involve full road closures on Victoria Road for one month, as well as various parking restrictions, bus stop suspensions and temporary traffic lights in Victoria Road, between its junctions with Portsmouth Road and Weston Grove Road.

Businesses will remain open as normal throughout.

SGN Project Manager Matt Burt said: “We’ve worked closely with the local authorities in planning this work and we will be doing everything we can to limit disruption during our essential work in Southampton.

“We appreciate that roadworks can be frustrating, however, the new plastic pipe has a minimum lifespan of 80 years.

"This means once the work is completed, Southampton homes and businesses will enjoy the benefits of a continued safe and reliable gas supply for many years to come.”

SGN manages the network that distributes natural and green gas to 5.9 million homes and businesses across the south of England and Scotland.