Seven weeks of gas works on a busy route have started today.

The A250 Halfway Road on Sheppey will be shut at different points to allow for SGN to carry out upgrades.

Contractor WCB Utilities is completing the work on behalf of the utility company.

“We’re carrying out essential gas network upgrades in the Halfway Road area of Sheerness,” a spokesperson explained.

“This work will ensure a continued safe and reliable supply of gas is delivered to nearby homes and businesses.

“This is part of our 30-year programme of work to replace our old mains, reaching the end of their useful lives, with new, reliable plastic pipe.”

The road will be shut from today (November 4) and is expected to fully reopen on Monday, December 23.

SGN has split the work into three phases. First, it will be closed from the junction of St Katherine Road to Power Station Road.

Then, it will reopen and engineers will gradually change the pipes along Halfway Road, working towards the bridge.

Two-way traffic lights are set to be in place during this time.

For the final phase, the road will shut between the bridge and house number 328 on the High Street.

KentOnline has asked SGN exactly how long each phase will go on for.

The gas company has confirmed that signed diversions will be in place for the closure.

Drivers will have to go via Queenborough Road, Brielle Way, Bridge Road, Millennium Way, Cavour Road, High Street and vice versa.

Access will be maintained for residents and businesses.

Stones Garden Centre, which is on Halfway Road, has already posted a warning to their customers.

It added: “We will keep you as updated as we can and we appreciate all your support in the coming weeks.”

Some commenters were questioning why the upgrades needed to happen now.

One person said: “Absolutely crazy they could have done this in January. I hope it doesn’t affect business.”

In October, contractors had been carrying out pipe replacements on the B2007 Main Road, Queenborough.

A closure was in place for more than five weeks, but residents were told that it had to be extended for a further 11 days due to “engineering difficulties”.

The knock-on effect was that works on the A250 Queenborough Road were delayed until further notice.

A Q&A session was held on Tuesday (October 29) at the Sheerness Working Men’s Club for those who wanted to learn more about the project.

A spokesperson for the utility company added: “We understand roadworks can be frustrating. However, the new plastic pipe has a lifespan of 80 years.

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