Essential work is under way in Lowestoft with more than 300 metres of ageing gas mains being replaced by engineers from Cadent.

The work is continuing on Gunton Church Lane in north Lowestoft, as an ageing iron gas pipe that has suffered several leaks over recent years is being replaced.

Work is continuing on Gunton Church Lane in Lowestoft. Image: Google Images (Image: Google Images)

Cadent – the UK’s largest gas distribution network - said that rather than carrying out further repair work, engineers are now replacing the entire section.

It will see new pipes - which will last for decades - installed to future proof the local network and help keep residents connected to safe and reliable gas supplies for cooking and heating.

After consulting with Suffolk County Council, works started on Monday, March 23 with a five-week scheme scheduled to finish on Friday, April 24.

Due to the location of the gas pipe it means that Gunton Church Lane has been closed so that engineers can work as safely as possible in the road.

Traffic is being diverted while the work continues, with access remaining open to householders.

Amber Greensmith, head of customer experience at Cadent, said: “While this section of the Lowestoft network has done a brilliant job over the years, we have been receiving more reports of leaks so the time has come to carry out replacement work to ensure that we can continue to deliver gas to people's homes 24/7, 365 days a year.

“These upgrades also have big environmental gains, as they reduce methane emissions and enable a move to more renewable gases like biomethane.

"This is essential for a cleaner future – the UK will need energy to come from a range of sources to meet demand and be sustainable.

“I thank everybody for their patience as we take the measures needed to ensure our engineers can carry out these works as safely and as efficiently as possible.”

© Eastern Daily Press