HUNDREDS of motorists are set to endure up to 18 weeks of disruption as gas works close busy roads.

Cadent is set to replace gas pipes in the High Street and Wakering Road from October 5.

A public notice, which wrongly stated the work could last for 18 months left residents concerned. Cadent has confirmed the notice was wrong but residents still face more than four months of disruption.

Blackgate Road, Shoebury Avenue and Constable Way are also included in the work.

Peter Lovett, vice chairman of Shoebury Residents’ Association said: “We’ve used our Facebook page to let people know what’s going on.

“You can’t really stop major work like this from happening but we are doing our best to keep everyone informed so that any disruption and inconvenience is kept to a minimum.”

The roads will be closed during the work but residents will have access to their homes.

Work will start in the High Street before proceeding in its second phase to Wakering Road, which both give access to Great Wakering.

Vehicles will be rerouted through Ness Road and North Shoebury Road during the work.

A spokesman for Cadent said: “Cadent is planning essential work to replace ageing gas mains in Southend with tough new pipes which should last into the 22nd century.

“This essential work will help ensure local people keep on enjoying safe and reliable gas supplies for cooking, heating and hot water.

“Work is scheduled to begin on Monday, October 5 and is expected to take approximately 18 weeks to complete.

“To minimise disruption it is planned to carry out the work in two phases.

“We’ll do all we can to deliver the work with minimal disruption and to complete it as soon as possible.”

For more information, please contact our enquiries number on 0800 151 2404.