GAS works which caused up to 90 minute delays for motorists will finish today after making ‘tremendous progress’, it has been announced.

The works, which started in Wallisdown Road on Monday, August 22 and were due to run until Monday, September 5, has seen traffic to be controlled by two-way signals between the Bournemouth University roundabout and St Mark’s Church.

Motorists questioned why they were not given more advance notice on the works, which saw queues of vehicles along the entire length of the road.

According to an email sent out by Bournemouth Borough Council on Saturday, August 20, they were only notified of the works on Friday afternoon.

A spokesperson for SGN announced just before 11am this morning that the temporary traffic lights will be removed later today.

In a statement, they added: “Our engineers have made tremendous progress in Wallisdown Road and we have finished upgrading our network a week ahead of schedule.

"We are currently filling our excavations and restoring the road surface. As soon as the new road surface has set, we'll be able to remove the temporary traffic lights. All being well, we'll remove these lights by rush hour this evening.

"We'd like to thank motorists for their patience during our essential work."

Alucia Phillips, a florist from Flowers at 291, had said potential customers were being lost as people sought detours to avoid the queues.

"On Monday morning I had to get out of the car 20 minutes down the road and walk up as the traffic wasn’t going anywhere.”

An SGN spokesperson previously explained that work was being carried out following a number of gas leaks in the area.

They were replacing an old main with new plastic pipes to 'ensure a continued safe and reliable gas supply to the local area.'

"We understand that people can get frustrated by roadworks. However, the new plastic pipe has a minimum lifespan of 80 years.

"This means that when the work is complete, people will continue to enjoy the benefits of a safe and reliable gas supply for years to come."