Motorists are being warned to expect some disruption over the next 12 weeks while workmen dig up a major Norwich road for resurfacing and to replace gas pipes.
Staff from National Grid began replacing half a kilometre of iron gas pipes with new hard wearing plastic pipes today in Sprowston Road to ensure secure gas supplies to homes in the area until the end of the century.
Sara Wilcox, a spokesman for the National Grid, said the road would be closed in sections, from junction to junction, while the gas pipes are replaced and diversions set up, though access will still be maintained for residents.
She added: 'This work should provide secure gas supplies for the next 80 years. We are replacing all the old gas mains with new mains. Like any infrastructure, if you don't maintain it it obviously starts to deteriorate and there is the potential for the gas mains to start leaking. There is a danger to safety and an inconvenience value.'
The work is set to run concurrently with the county council's road resurfacing programme.
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