WORK to replace gas mains has been brought forward to coincide with another improvement scheme to reduce inconvenience.

National Grid has made the move in Sansome Walk, Worcester, to coincide with the work currently being carried out on the sewerage system by Severn Trent Water to avoid the need for a separate road closure.

Sansome Walk will remain closed for around three months for the joint operation to be completed.

National Grid’s head of network, Steve Murray, said: “Although we’ve recently carried out some minor work in Sansome Walk, we weren’t scheduled to replace the large diameter gas mains in the street for several years.

“However, in conjunction with Severn Trent Water and Worcestershire County Council, we decided to go ahead with the work immediately, so that we wouldn’t have to close Sansome Walk again in a few years’ time.”

Mr Murray added: “We know that some of the essential work National Grid has to carry out to bring the gas supply system up to date creates disruption and inconvenience, but we are always looking for ways to minimise these problems.

"In this case we’ve found what we believe to be a very effective solution and, as a result, after the present project is finished, we shouldn’t need to go back to Sansome Walk for a very long time.”

The work will involve replacing metal gas pipes that have been in use for many decades with modern plastic pipes which are expected to have a life of at least 80 years.