Essential gas works along a main route in and out of a housing estate have overrun by three weeks.

Parts of Riverview Park, near Gravesend, were closed last month to allow utilities company SGN to carry out vital upgrades to the network.

This involved upgrading the old metal gas mains and service to plastic which has a longer lifespan.

Work started on the project in Marling Way, Astra Drive, Tower Close and Cirrus Crescent on January 15 and was due to last for around six weeks.

However, contractor WCB Utilities has come across “significant engineering difficulties”.

In a letter to residents, a spokesman for SGN added: “Many smaller old metal pipe rails have been uncovered in each road, that we needed to fully investigate before arranging to either decommission or replace them.

“Due to this, our work has gone over the original estimated date for completion.”

All the roads were expected to be open by February 13 but, following a consultation with Kent County Council, SGN have extended the closure rather than postpone the project.

The spokesman added: “We believe this will be less disruptive in the long term to the community.

“We are sorry for these delays, our engineers are working hard to get this work completed as soon as possible.

“We understand roadworks can be frustrating. However, the new plastic pipe has a lifespan of 80 years.

“This means once our work is done, Gravesend residents and businesses will be able to enjoy the benefits of a safe and reliable supply of gas for many years to come.”

Work is now expected to be completed by Monday, March 4.