GAS works are set to take place in the heart of Winchester on Monday.

An ongoing mains replacement programme starts in Colebrook Street, carried out by distribution network company SGN.

Workers will replace the existing metal has mains with new plastic polyethylene pipe and involves replacing around 600m of the existing mains.

It is expected to last approximately seven weeks.

Because of the narrow streets, the first three phases of the work will mean road closures.

The first phase will see work carried out in Colebrook Street at the junction with the east end of the High Street and phase two will take place west of Colebrook Place. A diversion route will be in place via The Broadway and High Street.

Phase three will see work carried out in Colebrook Street, between Market Lane and The Broadway. The one-way diversion route through High Street, Market Street and Market Lane means work will only take place on non-market days – Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays.

SGN Team Manager Tony Semmence said: “This is a complex engineering project but it has been planned in consultation with the local authority, in a way to minimise disruption as much as possible.

“We understand that roadworks can be frustrating and I would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience which may be caused.”

Specific details, a short video and a map showing each phase of work can be found on SGN’s website.