ROADWORKS in Verwood has been extended until next month.

The gas works on Verwood Road at Three-Legged Cross have been extended until June 7th, 2024.

The work by SGN, which started last November and was expected to finish at the end of April, was extended till May 10th.

Temporary traffic lights were installed near Joys Road, resulting in long delays. These lights will continue to operate until the work is completed.

A Verwood resident commented: “Verwood residents are trapped… this is ridiculous!”

Dorset Highways shared an update with Verwood Town Council on Facebook, stating the works have been extended due to another issue.

The statement read: “The time it is taking for this work to reach a satisfactory conclusion has been brought to the attention of SGN’s management team this week, as the apparent lack of progress and repeated extensions have attracted criticism.

“SGN first notified us of a gas leak here on 24 November last year, and since then, it is my understanding that temporary signals have been in operation, which have generated delays and disruption at peak times.

“A leak has developed on the same main a little further along Verwood Road in the last week or so.

“After corresponding with SGN in the last couple of days, we maintain that we want the road space returned to public use without delay, and they need to give us more certainty than we’ve seen so far.

“The full repair of the section will take a further four weeks to complete, the continued disruption partly offset though by a greater certainty that the main will be fully renewed with reduced risk of future escapes.

"The agreed and stipulated end date for these works is now set at 7 June - the site must be returned back to public use by this date, or they will risk incurring daily penalty charges.

"SGN has also been asked to issue communications explaining the approach to the work, the rationale and the timescales.

"Longer term, we know that the whole, ageing main along Verwood Road is subject to repeat escapes and accounts for a fair proportion of unplanned activities in this area – SGN are aware as well, and it is their aspiration to fully replace the main under controlled planning at some point in the future.”