DRIVERS could be facing more lengthy delays on Wallisdown Road when gas mains work gets underway later this month.

Temporary two-way traffic lights will be installed on the road - one of the main routes linking Poole and Bournemouth - from November 20.

There is also a planned temporary road closure of Benbow Crescent, from its south-western junction with Wallisdown Road for 30 metres - which will include a closure of the western end of the Wallisdown Road Service Road.

A Borough of Poole spokesman confirmed: "The closure is required for the relaying of gas mains and services by Southern Gas Services (SGN).

"There will be temporary lights on Wallisdown Road as SGN will need to cross their connection on the other side of Wallisdown Road.

"There will also be a temporary pedestrian crossing during the works."

Last summer drivers faced lengthy delays on Wallisdown Road due to SGN upgrading the gas network locally.

Motorists reported delays of up to an hour-and-a-half to get past the roadworks during peak times.

SGN has been replacing miles of deteriorating gas mains with new plastic pipes in a bid to cut the numbers of gas leaks.

On the latest Wallisdown Road closure's Bradley Barlow, spokesman for gas distribution network company SGN, said: "We'll be doing all we can to minimise disruption, including manually controlling the temporary traffic lights at peak times to keep the traffic moving.

"This essential upgrade work involves replacing old, metal gas mains with a new plastic pipe that has a minimum lifespan of 80 years. This means that when the work is complete, Benbow Crescent residents will continue to enjoy the benefits of a safe and reliable gas supply for years to come."

Meanwhile, more delays are expected when work likely starts early next year to "improve" the Wallisdown Roundabout, after Bournemouth council successfully bid for a grant of £2 million from the National Productivity Fund.

Exact details, and dates, of this roundabout scheme are yet to be released.

The latest work is due to commence on Monday, November 20, until Friday, December 1.