Eleven weeks of traffic disruption on the main road in and out of Swanage in Dorset, is about to begin, with road works to replace corroding gas pipes expected to last until Easter 2025.
Scotia Gas Networks (SGN) is removing old metal pipes across the town and installing new durable plastic pipes, which the company says will ensure continued safe and reliable gas supplies for the future, however the work along the High Street is expected to cause the most inconvenience to drivers.
Barriers, closure signs and traffic lights have been brought in ahead of 11 weeks of roadworks
Triangle junction also being closed
While the essential replacement work is being carried out, two and three way traffic lights will operate between the High Street junctions with Jubilee Road and Days Road, which may cause significant disruption at peak times.
Temporary lights, cones and barriers were delivered on Monday 17th February 2025 and are expected to be installed in the coming days.
Road traffic orders are in place until Friday 25th April 2025 as around 350 metres of gas main is being replaced.
The triangle junction of the High Street is also being closed for safety reasons, while a little closer to town there are also two other gas mains schemes involving road closures in Priests Road and Steer Road, which will continue into March 2025.
SGN has apologised for expected delays, but says it is carrying out crucial work to tackle the recent history of leaks, and to provide a permanent solution to end of life infrastructure causing emergency disruptive repairs in the area.
Short term pain for long term gain as Swanage braces for gas mains work at least until Easter
Long term solution to gas escapes
In autumn 2023, a ‘complex’ repair of the gas main in High Street between Harlees fish and chip shop and The Swanage School, led to traffic jams of up to half an hour at peak times, and continued for more than six weeks in the busy run-up to Christmas.
The excavations and repairs needed to be carried out at a deeper than normal depth, as gas was still being detected from Victorian cast iron pipes which were buried further down.
Fast forward 15 months, and the current works are intended to be a long term solution to regular gas escapes as the metal pipes have passed the point where it is viable to carry out permanent repairs.
Flashback to autumn 2023 when emergency gas mains repairs caused six weeks of significant delays
“Crucial to address history of leakage”
A spokesperson for SGN said:
“Our essential programme of gas main replacement along the High Street in Swanage is crucial to address the history of leakage and provide a permanent solution to avoid further leakage and disruptive repairs.
“We are no longer able to provide permanent repairs to leaks on this section of gas main.
“Our engineers will be replacing 345 meters of gas main along the High Street between the junctions of Jubilee Road and Days Road, and because of its location in the road, we need to have temporary three and two-way traffic lights around our work area as we progress between these junctions.
“We will also be closing the High Street junction outside 353 to 349 High Street – the triangle junction of the High Street – for the location of mandatory welfare.”
Stacks of barriers have been brought into Swanage and are expected to be in place shortly
“Disruptive for road users”
The spokesperson added:
“We appreciate traffic lights on the High Street will be disruptive for road users and for the businesses on the High Street. We apologise for unavoidable delays, but our engineers are committed to completing this work as quickly and as safely as possible.
“Bus stops will be affected as we progress. We would advise passengers to contact their service provider for the latest updates and changes to bus stop locations.
“Bin collection days will remain unchanged unless you hear otherwise from your service provider.
“On-street parking restrictions will be in place as we progress, and local signage and cones will keep road users informed. Access to businesses and properties will be maintained.”
Priests Road is also undergoing gas mains replacement work in February and March 2025
30 year programme by SGN
SGN also has road closure orders for through traffic in place in Priests Road between its junction with the High Street and Gordon Road on Monday 17th February 2025, with work expected to be completed by Friday 7th March 2025.
There is also a road closure in Steer Road between the High Street and Wills Road, which started on Tuesday 11th February 2025 and which will be in force until Monday 17th March 2025.
Corroding metal pipes in Priests Road and across Swanage are to be replaced with durable plastic pipes in a major operation
Further information
- Local residents and businesses have been asked to direct questions to customer@sgn.co.uk or alternatively to call SGN’s customer service number on the free phone number 0800 912 1700.
- Live roadwork maps with updated information are on the Causeway One Network website
