A disruptive gas works project in Weymouth which has been going on since the beginning of the year is finally at an end.

After a gas leak was discovered in the area of Chafeys roundabout, engineering crews from SGN have been working to upgrade the gas piping system.

The work has been going on in the area of the roundabout and along the A354 Weymouth Way.

The works have been subject to numerous delays over the past few months after further excavation work became necessary. However, a spokesman for SGN said the work was due to finish yesterday.

They also revealed that the traffic control measures that have been in place during the work are to be gradually lifted over the coming weeks.

In a statement yesterday, the SGN spokesman said that the company intends to reopen the pedestrian crossing today.

The spokesman said: "All going well, we hope to reinstate the pedestrian crossing in Weymouth Way (on Saturday) following the completion of our emergency works. At the same time, we’ll be able to remove lane restrictions in the northern and western approaches to the roundabout.

"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."

SGN has been working at the site to replace the old metal gas main with a plastic pipe after a leak was discovered earlier this year.

Over the past few months, the Echo has reported a number of set backs to the gas work. These delays were caused because the area's designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) required the workers to conduct excavation to remove branches so that the work would cause as minimal impact as possible upon the area's wildlife. SSSIs are areas selected for conservation.

Throughout the process of the work, traffic control measures have been put in place. These measures included speed limits, traffic lights and narrowed lanes, as well as the closure of the pedestrian crossing.

In a previous statement, the gas company apologised for the set back and expressed its thanks to residents for their patience while the work was carried out.