MAINS replacement work is ahead of schedule on Boot Hill in Weymouth, a gas company has said.

Southern Gas Network (SGN) insisted that the £608,000 gas works were crucial and being carried out early to tie in with the Weymouth Transport Package before the Olympics.

The company said that the works had been stopped until September 5 at the request of the Dorset County Council but that they were ahead of schedule.

The comments come after criticisms that the work on Boot Hill, known as Rodwell Road, should have been finished by now.

Spokesman Sharron Miller-McKenzie said SGN was working and co-operating fully with Dorset County Council to ensure the works were done before the Olympics.

“We understand that people are feeling anxious that the road isn’t fully operational.

“If we get this work done then there will be a much more reliable gas supply for a long, long time.”

She added: “We would not normally do work in Weymouth in the summer season.

“Because of the 2012 and sailing events it is crucial that it gets done now. We thank people for their ongoing patience.

“We know it is frustrating and we are trying to do it as quickly as we can.

“It is essential work. We have to replace the gas mains.

“They are up for replace- ment and need to be done for the security of supply.”

Work on the main from Boot Hill and Rodwell Road to the junction of Rodwell Avenue started in early June and was due to take six months.

But Ms Miller-McKenzie said that they were ahead of target and anticipated that it would take four months.

Some people said that there had been little sign of work on the road but Ms Miller-McKenzie said work had stopped until September 5 to allow for summer activities taking place.

Ms Miller-McKenzie said: “We have been asked to stop work at the request of the highways authority. We will be back on site on September 5 carrying on with the work.

“At the moment the one way traffic system has got to stay in place for safety reasons.”

She added that anyone was welcome to speak to SGN about the issues and that people could talk to the management team directly on the site.

Weymouth and Portland transport briefholder Christine James and residents had called for the works to be speeded amid concerns that they were taking too long.