Update - Friday 16 October
We were due to begin these works on Monday 19 October; however, other third-party works on the esplanade nearby have overrun, causing a delay.
Our work will now begin on Friday 23 October and last approximately 15 weeks. To do this safely, phased road closures will be in place on Dorchester Road as described below. Diversion routes will be clearly signposted. Access for residents and the emergency services will be maintained.
While we do everything we can to keep disruption to a minimum, we would advise people leave more time for travel and take alternative routes if at all possible. We will keep local people up to date as our work progresses via our website and social media. We’re sorry for any disruption that this essential work may cause and thank the local community for its patience and understanding.
Road Closure – Dorchester Road, Weymouth DT3 5HU for Essential Gas Main Replacement
From Friday 23 October, we'll be replacing a section of gas main along Dorchester Road.
Phase One - From Friday 23 October to 20 December
The road closure will begin at 6am on Friday 23 October.
To minimise disruption, the work will be completed in four sections, with the closure moving along Dorchester Road as work progresses.
Vehicle access to properties within the closure will be maintained throughout the project, although access routes may change as the work area moves. Our site team will keep affected residents and businesses informed, and signage will be in place for road users.
The work involves installing a new gas pipe between Grove Avenue and Monmouth Avenue.
Section 1
Grove Avenue to Weymouth Bay Avenue
The hard closure (no through vehicle access) will be located near Grove Avenue.
This means:
- No through vehicle access past the closure at Grove Avenue.
- Access to all properties and care homes within this section will be maintained from the north side (Monmouth Avenue direction).
- Access to Lidl and properties up to Weymouth Bay Avenue will be from the north side of the closure.
- Vehicle access to Grove Avenue and Milton Terrace will remain available.
- Access up to the Grove Avenue/Milton Terrace junction will be available from the south side (beach end of Dorchester Road).
Section 2
Weymouth Avenue to the south side of the Lidl entrance – both section one and two will take 5 weeks
The hard closure will move to the Weymouth Bay Avenue junction.
This means:
- No through vehicle access past the closure at Weymouth Bay Avenue.
- Properties north of the closure will be accessed from the Monmouth Avenue side.
- Weymouth Avenue and side roads will be accessed from the south side (beach end of Dorchester Road).
Section 3
Working across the Lidl entrance
To keep Lidl accessible, the work will be carried out in two halves.
First half of the Lidl entrance
- All vehicle access to Lidl will be from the north side of the closure.
Second half of the Lidl entrance
- All vehicle access to Lidl will be from the south side of the closure.
Section 4
Northern side of Lidl entrance to Monmouth Avenue
This final section will run from the northern side of the Lidl entrance to the Monmouth Avenue junction.
This means:
- All vehicle access to Lidl will continue from the south side of the closure.
Phase Two – From 04th January to 19 March
One-Way Northbound Directional Road Closure - A one-way northbound closure will be in place on Dorchester Road between Monmouth Avenue and Icen Road.
This will mean:
- Vehicles will not be able to travel northbound on Dorchester Road between Spa Avenue and Roman Close.
- Access to properties within the closure will be maintained via the southbound lane.
- Pedestrian access will be maintained. Cyclists will be required to dismount and walk through the works area, as no northbound carriageway space will be available.
Bus Services
Bus services will be affected by these works. We recommend passengers contact their bus operator directly for the latest information regarding route changes and temporary arrangements.
For the latest information on bus route changes and diversions, please visit: https://www.firstbus.co.uk/wessex-dorset-south-somerset/news-and-service-updates/updates/dorchester-road-closure
Posters will also be displayed at affected bus stops to direct passengers to the nearest available stop locations.
The existing gas main is very old and to maintain the demand for gas in the area the pipe needs to be replaced and upsized. Replacing this pipe will help ensure a safe and reliable gas supply for homes and businesses while reducing the risk of future emergency repairs and unplanned road closures.
The location of the gas main and the available road width means there is insufficient space to safely accommodate both traffic and the excavation area.
We have carefully assessed alternative traffic management options, including temporary traffic lights. However, due to the depth and location of the excavation, the presence of multiple underground utilities, and the need to maintain a safe working area for our engineers, a full road closure is the only safe option available.
Road closures are always considered a last resort and are only implemented when all other options have been thoroughly assessed and ruled out.
These works cannot be completed during the night.
- The work involves a live gas network and multiple underground utilities, requiring careful and controlled excavation.
- Engineers need regular access to properties to complete service transfer work as the project progresses.
- Property access cannot reasonably be achieved during the night.
- The works generate significant noise and disruption, which would impact nearby residents.
- Reinstatement materials to infill excavations require a minimum of 24hours to set before traffic can safely use the road
Our engineers will be working Monday to Saturday between 7:00am and 5:30pm, and additional Sunday working will be used where practical.
The project includes a large number of individual service connections to properties, which must be completed progressively as work advances along the route. Where possible, reinstatement and preparatory activities will also be undertaken at weekends.
The project has been planned and resourced to ensure works are completed as safely and as quickly as possible.
Yes. Access for emergency services will be maintained throughout the closure whenever required. Their responders will be advised of the quickest response routes and our teams will support wherever needed
The work is highly specialised and takes place within a constrained working area.
Increasing the number of engineers on site would not necessarily speed up progress and could create additional safety risks. Resources will be allocated in the most effective way to ensure the works are completed as quickly and as safely as possible.
Engineers are not always visible or working directly within the excavation because many activities take place elsewhere to support the project.
These activities include:
- Pressure testing and commissioning work.
- Service connection work within customers' properties.
- Material collection and deliveries.
- Quality inspections.
- Preparing future sections of the works.
- Waiting for reinstatement materials to cure before work can continue.
Although engineers may not always be visible, please can we assure you they are working.
We understand the closures on Dorchester Road will be disruptive, and road users may try to use unsuitable side roads as a diversion. We will do everything we can to encourage the use of the official diversion route.
Our traffic management contractors will continue to monitor the local road network throughout the closure; they will continue to review traffic management options for side roads as works progress. Unsuitable for diversion and resident access only signage will be in place.
SGN's Small Business Compensation Scheme may be available to businesses that experience a genuine loss of trade as a direct result of the gas main replacement works.
Businesses wishing to make a claim should first register their intent to claim through the online application process. The claims team will then provide guidance on the information required to assess eligibility.
The scheme is independently regulated, and applicants must meet the required qualifying criteria before any claim can be approved.
Link to compensation scheme : Compensation | SGN Your gas. Our network.
We will continue to provide updates throughout the project. To help manage expectations, updates will only be issued when there is new information to share.
If you need to speak to us about these works – please contact our Customer Service Team: email: customer@sgn.co.uk or phone: 0800 912 1700. The team will ensure your enquiry is logged and tracked and sent to an appropriate member of the team for response.
We’d like to apologise for the disruption these essential works will cause and thank you for your continued patience and understanding.