Traffic lights on Littlemoor Road, Weymouth due to gas leak

Following reports of the smell of gas in the air near the Bincombe Bumps roundabout, a gas main in Littlemoor Road is being replaced.

This has caused significant disruption as temporary traffic lights have been put in place around the work area - between Turnstone Close and Louviers Road.

It is not yet known when the work, which is being undertaken by SGN, will be completed.

A Littlemoor resident said: "I noticed the smell when I was in the garden the day after Boxing Day. I said to my partner 'I smell gas really strongly can you'. I thought my neighbour had a gas leak. It seemed to come and go in wafts."

Another resident said: "I can't smell it from my house but I noticed it when I walked nearby with the dogs."

Cllr Louie O'Leary said: "I have raised a complaint with the council as it is incredibly frustrating for everyone. Current traffic lights are in place due to a major gas leak.

"They are working around the clock to deal with it.

"It has raised mud and debris on the roads as well which the developers and contractors are addressing with spray vans and wheel cleaning on vehicles leaving the site.

"I have also had assurances that Turnstone Close and others that the areas dug up and damaged will be returned to normal post works.

"Whilst we should be patient, I think people have a right to be upset. We have had nothing but major disruption and roadworks in the past few months.

"We are pushing for greater infrastructure in that area because it is heavily congested and it is only going to get worse."

Bradley Barlow, spokesperson for gas distribution company SGN, said: "We are currently replacing a gas main in Littlemoor Road near the Bincombe Bumps roundabout following reports of gas in the air.

"For everyone’s safety, we’ve installed temporary traffic lights around our work area.

"It’s too soon to say when we’ll finish our work but we’re working quickly to complete it as soon as possible."

These traffic lights are near where the three-way traffic lights were in place from November 24 to December 8 last year, which caused considerable disruption to residents as work was undergone to excavate a gas-connected system exit point for the new 500-home development.