National Grid engineers are due to start work on an essential major gas mains upgrade in the Elm area of Wisbech that will keep supplies flowing to local residents until the end of the century.

In a four-week project engineers will renew 600 metres of gas pipe on the B1101 Main Road from All Saints’ Church at the junction with Begdale Road to house number 45.

On Monday 3 the existing iron mains will be replaced with tough new durable plastic pipes that will last for 80 years.

To carry out the work safely and efficiently two-way temporary traffic lights will be set up in Main Road during the project. The lights will be moved along the B1101 as the work progresses.

National Grid Authorising Engineer Dilbir Chana said: “We need to carry out the essential work so that people in Elm can continue to enjoy a safe and reliable gas supply for generations to come.

“We’ll do everything we can to complete the job as quickly as possible and keep disruption down.

“We’d advise parents to leave some extra time when they take and collect their youngsters from school. We really appreciate people’s patience and co-operation.”

For any enquiries about this work people should contact National Grid’s customer services team on 0800 096 5678.