A BUSY Winchester city centre road is set to be closed into the night after emergency gas works caused rush-hour delays.

Part of Romsey Road, which joins the top of Winchester High Street, has been shut by SGN, with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service crew manager Dan Joslin saying they believe contractors working on the new Barkley Homes development may have clipped the gas pipe with a JCB.

The works are taking place near to the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, and access is being maintained to the hospital.

During rush-hour, traffic built up through the city centre, with queues backing up around the one-way system.

Hannah Brett, a spokeswoman for SGN, said: "We’re carrying out an emergency repair to our gas main in Romsey Road, Winchester. To keep motorists and our engineers safe, we need to temporarily close Romsey Road outside the Royal Hampshire County Hospital.

"A signed diversion will be in place for through traffic, however, access will be maintained to the hospital. We’re doing everything we can to repair our damaged gas main and reopen Romsey Road as quickly as possible."

A Hampshire constabulary spokesman had added: "Engineers have advised that they will be dealing with this incident until around 6-7pm, so motorists are advised to avoid the area. 

"Romsey Road is closed between the junctions with St James' Lane and Clifton Road. There is no risk to the public."

But since then a spokesman for SGN said: "Our engineers will be continuing this repair into this evening and the road is likely to remain closed tonight. We appreciate Romsey Road is a key route in the city and we’re doing everything we can to repair our damaged gas main and reopen the road as quickly as possible."