EIGHT weeks of 'safety-critical' gas works have started along a key Bournemouth town centre thoroughfare.

Gas company SGN says it consulted closely with BCP Council before deciding to press ahead with the works in the current climate.

It means road closures will be in place between the Asda roundabout and Lansdowne roundabout junctions.

The company insists it is only carrying out safety-critical and emergency work to ensure communities and employees are kept safe and warm during the lockdown.

A SGN spokesman said: "The work in Holdenhurst Road needs to go ahead now, rather than wait until the pandemic passes, to ensure local properties continue to receive a safe and reliable supply of gas.

Following close consultation with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, we’ll be upgrading our gas network in Holdenhurst Road from Tuesday, April 14 for approximately eight weeks.

"Our engineers will be replacing old metal gas mains with new durable plastic pipe.

"We’ll be working in Holdenhurst Road between the Asda and Lansdowne roundabout junctions.

"For everyone’s safety around our site, we need to close Holdenhurst Road between these junctions."

SGN says it continues to liaise with central Government and public health bodies to make sure they carry out work on site in-line with the Covid-19 regulations.

The SGN spokesman said: "We have extra safety precautions in place to protect our colleagues and customers from catching or spreading the virus as we carry out this safety-critical project in Holdenhurst Road.

"We shouldn’t need to interrupt gas supplies to homes or businesses.

"Any connections to properties requiring direct interaction will be avoided where possible, this means our engineers may need to return to complete this once government restrictions are eased."

Visit sgn.co.uk/coronavirus for additional information about the company's work during the pandemic.