MAJOR works to replace an old gas main in Lymington is due to start tomorrow.

Gas company SGN is investing £360,000 to replace our the old metal gas main with new plastic pipe on the A337 Stanford Hill.

The work, which is expected to take 10 weeks, will be completed in three stages.

Stage one - which starts on Monday - will see work being done on the southbound carriageway of the A337 from Anchorage Way towards Belmore Road.

A spokesman from SNG said engineers would cone off the part of the carriageway they are working on but temporary traffic lights would not be needed.

It is expected to take four weeks.

The second phase of work - which is also expected to take four weeks - will see temporary traffic lights installed while work is carried out to the section of the road between Belmore Road and the White Hart pub.

The lights will be controlled by the SGN team from 6.30am to 6pm.

The final stage of works, which is expected to start at the beginning of May, will take place in Stanford Road from Priestlands Place towards the Waitrose car park.

Temporary traffic lights will not be needed during this stage but the slip road between Priestlands Place and Stanford Road will be closed over one weekend during this two-week phase.

The work is taking place prior to Hampshire Highways’ work to resurface the A337.

A statement from SGN said: "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, Lymington homes and businesses will continue to enjoy the benefits of a safe and reliable gas supply for years to come."