WORK on a major seafront road in Bournemouth is not set to finish until June.

Southern Gas Networks (SGN) started the work at Bath Road on January 8, which was scheduled to last for several weeks.

The work follows a leak in the area of the Royal Bath Hotel which saw emergency work carried out in 2016.

It involves replacing the existing metal gas mains and services with a modern plastic pipe.

A spokesperson for SGN said: “We had planned to finish the majority of our work by Easter, however the project has now been reconfigured to take into account the installation of two new underground gas governors.

“In agreement with Yellow Buses and Bournemouth Borough Council, it has been decided that Russell Cotes Road will remain closed until 23 March.

“This is to avoid unnecessary congestion while two-way traffic lights are in place from the St Peters roundabout. “

Up until March 23, engineers will be completing work on the section of gas main from Russell Cotes Road down to Bath Hill roundabout.

At the same time, they will also be carrying out the installation of the new gas governors located on the green opposite the Royal Bath Hotel.

Between March 23 and April 16, the road will be reopened and no work will take place.

From April 16 until the beginning of June, work will cross the Bath Hill roundabout and then down along Bath Road towards the seafront, to the car park near the rear of the Pavilion Theatre.

SGN said the works will take around seven to eight weeks to complete. Three-way temporary traffic lights will also be in use during this phase of work.

The spokesperson added: “We would like to thank local residents and motorists for their continued patience and understanding while we complete this major gas mains replacement project."