Major gas works will lead to delays for motorists around Queens Road and Beechen Grove in central Watford.

Engineers start work on Monday to upgrade gas mains in Queens Road. The 15-week project will see the existing iron mains replaced with new hardwearing plastic pipes designed to last for at least 80 years.

Phase one will begin on Monday, January 6, between 172 and 126 Queens Road and is scheduled to be completed by February 14.

Phase two, between 172 Queens Road and the junction of Queens Road and St Johns Road, will then commence and is scheduled to last 10 days. During this phase, four-way traffic lights will be in operation.

Phase three, between 126 and 96 Queens Road is due to start on February 24 with an estimated end date of March 17. Two and three-way traffic lights will be in operation for this period.

Phase four, between 96 Queens Road and the junction with Beechen Grove is due to start on March 17 with an estimated end date of April 14.