ONE of Winchester's busiest roads has reopened - but another has closed.

Gas mains repairs at the junction of Southgate Street and Jewry Street have finally been finished, two weeks later than expected, after a massive lump of concrete was discovered embedded under the road.

The move means that Winchester's one-way system is back up and running in both directions at the top of St George's Street, which should ease congestion through the city centre.

However, at the same time as the Jewry Street junction reopens, the gas works has now shifted on to Southgate Street, forcing the closure of the road until the end of May.

In the meantime motorists are being advised not to venture down Southgate Street except for access, and to instead follow diversion signs from the end of St Cross Road near the junction with the M3.

The Southgate Street work is the third and final stage in the gas mains replacement scheme currently being undertaken by Southern Gas Networks, and should provide safe gas pipes for at least the next 100 years.

Further details on the roadworks can be found at www.hants.gov.uk.