RESIDENTS and businesses are settling in for another long summer of delays as gas works began again in Sidcup.

Busy Station Road, which was partially closed from May to October last year while the Victorian gas mains were replaced, face similar disruption again this year.

Work began last week to complete the last year’s replacement, and the disruption will again last until October.

Southern Gas Networks, which is doing the work, says it is trying its best to minimise disruption to local people but said it was essential to replace the rusting iron mains.

A spokesman said: “We are using the insertion method which means we just dig a hole at each end, instead of a long trench, and feed the new durable plastic pipe through the existing main.”

Businesses in Station Road face losing customers as diversions and traffic queues make it difficult for people to access their shops.

While many may be able to claim compensation for lost business, Kerry and xxxx Warman have no such comfort.

They opened their heating and plumbing shop two weeks before the work began, signing a three-year lease before learning about the mains replacement.

Businesses need to provide three years worth of paperwork to prove lost business.

Mrs Warman said: “We have big metal barriers up across the length of both of our windows with the workmen’s vans parked in front, so passers-by cannot even see this is a newly opened shop.

“We are facing the risk of going bankrupt before we have even started.”

Bexley Council claims it is as frustrated as everyone else.

A spokeswoman said: “This is the third time Southern Gas Networks has carried out hugely disruptive work like this in Sidcup in the last three years.”

THE gas main replacement work means Station Road, Sidcup is now closed to northbound traffic from its junction with Longlands Road.

A diversion is in place via Hatherley Crescent, Faraday Avenue, Bexley Lane, Foots Cray Lane and Hurst Road.

As well as replacing mains in Station Road, work is also going on in Old Farm Avenue, Halfway Street and Burnt Oak Lane.

Old Farm Avenue will be closed at its junction with Station Road while work is done there and so will Burnt Oak Lane at its junction with Halfway Street.

For more information or advice call 020 8858 6910.