DRIVERS using one of the New Forest’s busiest roads are facing almost two months of misery.

Southern Gas Networks (SGN) is about to start a £140,000 project that involves digging up part of the A337, the main north-south route through the district.

Engineers will spend the next seven weeks working on a one-mile stretch of road north of Lymington.

SGN says a metal main between Rope Hill and Passford Hill will be replaced with a plastic polyethylene pipe to ensure that the gas supply to the area continues to be safe and reliable.

The work will be done in sections, ensuring that most of the road is operating normally at any one time.

However, the use of temporary traffic lights will result in delays until the middle of June unless the project is completed ahead of schedule. Ambulances and other vehicles heading to and from Lymington New Forest Hospital will be among traffic caught up in the disruption.

Apart from the narrow lanes through Boldre, the only alternative route involves a long detour via Hatchet Pond, Beaulieu Heath and Portmore.

SGN’s construction manager, Paul Willis, said: “All our work is being carried out in close consultation with Hampshire County Council and we’ll be doing everything we can to minimise disruption.

“We will be controlling our traffic lights manually during peak hours to ease congestion.

“I’d like to apologise for any inconvenience that may be caused.

“We’ll be working extended hours to complete this project as efficiently as possible.”