A ROAD is to remain closed for a further two weeks following a gas leak in Weymouth.

Dorchester Road in Weymouth, near Morrisons, has been closed in both directions between Manor Roundabout and Radipole Lane due to a leaking pipe. 

Gas distribution company, SGN, this afternoon announced it expects the road will remain closed until February 3 due to the 'severity' of the gas leak.

The problem arose at about 9am on Thursday and (SGN) sent engineers to assess the issues.

Please find as follows an update on our work at Manor Roundabout, Weymouth.

Claire Buchanan, a spokesperson for gas distribution company SGN said: "We are currently working at Manor Roundabout. For everyone's safety while we are working it's been necessary to close Dorchester Road, in both directions, between Radipole Lane and Manor Roundabout.

"We have started work to replace our gas mains pipe, and Dorchester Road will continue to be closed for the duration of our work.

"At the moment it’s not possible to say exactly how long our work will take, however, this is a complex engineering project and is likely to take a few weeks to complete.

"We’re aware that this is a busy route and are sorry for the inconvenience this is causing.

"There may be some further lane closures put in place at the roundabout while our work is taking place. We’ll continue to put updates on our website sgn.co.uk as our work progresses, and keep everyone informed. 

"We’d like to thank road users and local residents for their continued patience while we complete our essential work and reassure everyone that we’ll be doing everything we can to complete this work as quickly and safely as possible."

A spokesman for the company said engineers were on site and trying to fix the problem as soon as possible.

Buses have also been affected by the closure. 

ATTN: Dorchester Rd Closed. #2 not serving Morrison's Roundabout - Th Finches. #10 not serving Broadway Church -Manor Rd. Apologies -ES —

First Dorset (@firstdorset) January 19, 2017   Service 2 (Weymouth to Littlemoor) will not serve the roundabout and Service 10 (Weymouth to Dorchester and Poundbury) will not serve St Nicholas Church, Broadwey.

A spokesman for First Group said: "As a result of the gas leak, First Dorset will not be running services 2 and 10 between St Nicholas Church and Manor Roundabout. 

"Service 2 will also not serve Littlemoor Road between the bypass and Dorchester Road. Customers wishing to catch a bus over this section will need to catch Service 10 on the opposite side of the road. Service 10 will continue to serve Upwey, but will travel along Littlemoor Road and operate along the bypass to the Manor Road roundabout.

"As soon as the road closure is lifted buses will return to their normal routes.”

Lynne Edwardson, of SGN, said: "We are currently undertaking emergency repair work near Manor Roundabout. To ensure everyone’s safety, Dorchester Road is closed in both directions between the roundabout and the junction with Radipole Lane, however a signed diversion is in place. 

"We’ve identified the repair we need to complete, and this means the road closure will be in place until the weekend at least. 

"We’ll be keeping customers updated regularly via our website and other channels. We are aware that this is busy route and are very sorry for the disruption this is causing, however we’d like to assure everyone we’re working hard to fix the issue as quickly and safely as possible."

SGN says it will update its website regularly with information about the repairs. For more information, visit at sgn.co.uk