HAMPSHIRE residents face four months of roads misery as gas works starts next week.

Gas firm SGN will be replacing the existing metal mains in Fair Oak with plastic pipes from January 29.

It will be carried out in three stages and will see traffic lights and road closures.

The first phase will take place between Kingswood House in Winchester Road and the junction with Summerlands Road with temporary two-way traffic lights.

Summerlands Road will then be closed for three weeks while work is carried out to cross the junction with Winchester Road.

SGN said a diversion route will be in place to access Winchester Road.

Work is also set to be carried out in Winchester Road at its junction with Mortimers Lane. Temporary three-way traffic lights will be in place for 12 hours per day between 7am and 7pm.

Paul Wilson, landlord at The Fox and Hounds on Winchester Road, said: “If customers can’t get to the pub they will be going somewhere else and if residents can’t get to us we will lose sales. But if the work is needed hopefully it won’t be too bad.”

SGN engineering manager Karl Durham said: “We’ve worked closely with the local authority in planning this work.and we will be doing everything we can to limit disruption during our essential project. The new plastic pipe has a minimum lifespan of 80 years. This means once the work has been completed, Eastleigh homes and businesses will enjoy the benefits of a continued safe and reliable gas supply for many years to come.”