MAIN Winchester roads will close for three weeks as major gas works begin in the city centre.

Gas company SGN will start urgent repairs to their network on Monday May 4 causing the closure of Sussex Street and the Upper High Street.

The roads will be shut from their junctions with Romsey Road roundabout, outside The Westgate Pub until May 22.

SGN says the work needs to go ahead now, rather than wait until the pandemic passes, to ensure local properties continue to receive a safe and reliable supply of gas.

There will be temporary traffic lights on the Romsey Road roundabout. No buses will serve the station forecourt or the hospital.

All buses using Romsey Road (4, 5, 46, 66 & Park & Ride) will divert via Stockbridge Road and Chilbolton Avenue.

Temporary stops will be placed on Chilbolton Avenue at the junction with Sarum Road for anyone wanting the hospital.

For the station, there are stops on Stockbridge Road on the western side of the station, and Tower Car Park will still be accessible via Stockbridge Street.

An SGN spokesperson added: “We’re continuing to liaise with the UK Government and public health bodies to make sure we work safely and in line with expert advice during the Covid-19 outbreak. We have extra safety precautions in place to protect our colleagues and customers from catching or spreading the virus as we carry out this safety-critical project.