Work carried out by Manx Gas it set to cause major disruption in Douglas next month.

A mains replacement project gets under way on March 6.

It will be in Buck’s Road - one of the main routes to and from the town centre - and the road will have to be closed off to enable the safe replacement of the existing gas mains.

The works overall will last for up to 11 weeks.

This gas main replacement programme has been divided into three phases:

Phase 1 - Rosemount junction to Demense Road.

Phase 2 - Demense Road to Mona Street.

Phase 3 - Mona Street to Circular Road.

Phase 1 and 2 of the programme has been formally agreed with the Department of Infrastructure.

Both sides of Buck’s Road - from the Rosemount pub to Circular Road - will be affected by the work.

’Every effort will be made to complete all of this phase of the work ahead of the scheduled date of May 20,’ said Iain McKenzie, customer and network services manager for Manx Gas.

’Should this work not be completed by this date, it will be suspended on the May 20 for the period of the TT and resume in July, we will inform everyone of the recommencement date in advance,’

Parking restrictions will be in place from March 5 and alternative routes for buses have been agreed.

Residents and businesses in the area will be notified by hand delivered letters the day before their gas is temporarily disconnected for the replacement work to be carried out. Gas will be turned off at 8m and reinstated between noon and 1pm on the same day.

Mr McKenzie, who will be overseeing the project, added: ’We will aim to keep disruption down to a minimum. Alternative routes will be clearly marked and nobody will be denied access to their home or business, nor will shops be affected. We appreciate there will be disruption for a considerable length of time but this is one of the biggest projects Manx Gas has undertaken and is an essential part of the Gas Mains Replacement Policy which will benefit consumers and the island as a whole.

’All domestic and commercial services supplied from the mains will be inspected and where required brought up to meet current standards. I will have overall responsibility for this work and carry out site visits where necessary. Constant contact will be maintained with the DoI at site meetings throughout the project.’

The work is being carried out by Mann Construction on behalf of Manx Gas with two contract teams working on site at any one time.

’We know people will be worried about access but we will have people on site that can help resolve any immediate issues,’ added Mr McKenzie.

A further announcement regarding gas mains replacement from Circular Road to Athol Street will be announced at a later date.

The Manx Gas number to contact for further information and out of hours is 644425.