Major gas lines in the centre of Watford are to be renewed over two months this summer making it necessary for parking spaces to be suspended and temporary traffic lights put up at the affected junctions.

During July and August National Grid will be renewing gas mains in Queen's Road, King Street and St John’s Road.

The existing iron mains will be replaced with hardwearing plastic pipes that should last at least 80 years.

Work began in Queen's Road on Monday, July 6, and is expected to take five weeks. Engineers will be replacing gas mains from Loates Lane to the junction of Queen’s Road and Radlett Road.

While the work is under way some parking spaces will be temporarily suspended.

Engineers will then start replacing gas mains in King Street next Monday, July 13, for four weeks. Most of the work is expected to take place in the pavement.

On Monday, August 10, National Grid will begin renewing gas mains in St John’s Road. The work is expected to take four weeks.

Temporary traffic lights will be installed at the junction of Clarendon Road and St John’s Road and at the junction of Queen’s Road and St John’s Road to keep staff and road-users safe while work takes place in those junctions.

National Grid Authorising Engineer Dilbir Chana said: "This is part of an ongoing programme to upgrade Watford’s gas network and ensure we can maintain safe and reliable gas supplies to residents and businesses for decades to come.

"We are sorry for any inconvenience this work may cause but it is vital that we replace ageing gas mains. Every effort will be made to complete the work as soon as we can and minimise disruption to local people."

Businesses affected by the work may be eligible for compensation for loss of business under the Gas Regulations 1996. Businesses can find out more by going to www.nationalgrid.com/uk/gas.

If anyone has any queries or concerns they can contact National Grid customer services on 0800 096 5678.