MAJOR gas mains work is to be carried out on the Hereford Road in Monmouth and is expected to take 20 weeks to complete.

The improvement work will begin on Monday, May 8, 2006, by gas distribution company Wales & West Utilities. The £155,000 project - to replace nearly three kilometres of mains gas pipes - represents a considerable investment by Wales & West Utilities and is essential to bring improved safety and security of supply to people and businesses in the area.

Work will begin between the junction of Hereford Road and Vine Acre and will continue to the junction of Hereford Road and Osbaston Road.

As the project progresses, parking spaces will be reduced as required along the route to allow traffic management around the work areas. Although some traffic disruption will occur every effort will be made to minimise inconvenience.

The project has also been designed to take advantage of the school summer holidays, reducing the impact on traffic and parking pressures around the local school.

The work is part of a £44 million annual budget for a 30-year replacement programme across Wales and the South West where old metal pipes within 30 metres of buildings are to be replaced with highly durable, non-corroding plastic equivalents that have a lifespan of more than 80 years.