Gas works on key route in Surrey mean 10-mile detours

Drivers in Surrey are facing 10-mile diversions following the closure of a major commuter route for gas works.

The controversial roadworks to lay a new gas pipe on Seven Hills Road between Cobham and Walton-on-Thames began at the end of last year.

The final phase of the work by Southern Gas Networks (SGN) will last for nine weeks.

Spokesman Michael Cavanagh said the work was unavoidable and vehicles could not pass while the pipes were laid.

"It's a huge project and if we could've done the work whilst keeping a section of Seven Hills Road open we would have done, but unfortunately we can't," he said.

Seven Hills Road is scheduled to reopen on 30 August, with access to residents and businesses being maintained throughout the closure.

Southern Gas Networks said it would be carrying out associated work to replace a gas main in a section of Queens Road between the junction with Seven Hills Road and the junction with Pine Grove.