Gas works around Chafeys roundabout are drawing to a close, the company in charge has said.

Work to replace the gas pipes around Chafeys roundabout started earlier in the year and has been subject to numerous delays.

However, a spokesman for SGN has now asserted that the work is on schedule to be completed by Sunday, September 15.

In a previous statement, a spokesman for SGN said: "We’re making every effort to minimise disruption to motorists by ensuring traffic can continuing travelling in both directions past our work site for the remainder of our work. On certain days, we may need to use temporary traffic lights so we can move plant safely in and out of our site, but we’ll do this outside of peak times where possible to avoid inconveniencing motorists. All being well, we hope to remove our lane restrictions in Weymouth Way by Sunday 15 September.

"We appreciate the ongoing support and patience of Weymouth residents and motorists during our essential work. Thank you for your understanding as we work to ensure a continued safe and reliable gas supply to your local area for years to come."

This work was required after a gas leak earlier in the year, which prompted SGN to upgrade the old metal main with a plastic pipe.

The Echo previously reported several delays to these gas works throughout the summer months. The delays came to pass because workers needed to carry out digging work to remove branches.

This move was necessary to the area's status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). An SSSI is an area earmarked for conservation.

Regarding this announcement, Cllr Pete Barrow said: "It is extremely good news. It has been going on far too long. I hope that this time when they say September 15, they mean it.

"It has caused a great deal of inconvenience to the residents of all of Weymouth. I do appreciate it was a technically demanding job."

A number of traffic control measures - such as temporary speed restrictions, temporary traffic lights and narrowed traffic lanes - have been in place throughout the work's duration. The pedestrian crossing has also been shut down.

Regarding the traffic restrictions, a spokesman for SGN said: "After finishing our work in Weymouth Way, we’ll ask the local authority to reopen the pedestrian crossing as soon as possible during the week commencing 16 September. This will allow us to remove lane restrictions on the approach to Chafeys Roundabout from the north and west.

"The narrowed lanes approaching the roundabout from the south will remain in place for around two weeks while a specialist third-party contractor reinstates the complex excavations there. The final lane restrictions will be lifted as soon as the excavations are safely filled and the road surface restored."