A gas leak next to a busy Weymouth road is being probed.

SGN has closed off part of the walkway between the A354 Weymouth Way and the Radipole bird reserve near Chafeys Roundabout at Southill.

The traffic lights where pedestrians and cyclists cross the A354 are also out of action.

Travel Dorset reported: "This is a job with particular engineering difficulty and the footpath has been closed to keep pedestrians safe whilst repair works are planned.

"We are waiting for updates from SGN advising us how the leak can be repaired, only then can we issue further updates.

"The footway/cycleway and pedestrian crossing will remain closed for the foreseeable future. Sorry for inconvenience this may cause."

A spokesman for gas network company SGN said: "We're carrying out emergency repairs to our gas main on the A354 Weymouth Way near Chafeys roundabout.

"For the safety of pedestrians, motorists and our engineers working at the location, we have temporarily closed the pedestrian crossing and footpath (Lakeside Path Link) at the approach to the roundabout. This will allow our engineers to carry out their investigations as safely as possible.

"Pedestrians may use the existing crossing point at the roundabout to safely cross the road.

"This is a complex repair due to the position of our gas main and will require specialist planning and detailed design to maintain local gas supplies and provide us safe working access. We are presently investigating options to minimise the impact of our work on local residents and motorists however, it is likely that there will be further disruption to traffic using the A354 Weymouth Way.  If this is needed, it will be planned in close consultation with the local authority.

"It is too early to say how long it will take for us to complete our repairs at this stage."