ESSENTIAL work to renew gas mains in Welwyn near the A1(M) starts today (Monday) and will continue for the next four weeks.

National Grid will be replacing 370m of metal pipes on the medium pressue gas network on the A1000 Hertford Road.

The work will take place under the motorway bridge near the Roman Baths, and may affect traffic leaving Junction 6 southbound.

Delays may also be experienced by those using the Welwyn bypass and traffic joining the A1000 from the B1000 Hertford Road.

A traffic management scheme will be put in place with a lane closure enabling the road to remain open.

National Grid has been working closely with Hertfordshire Highways to coordinate the timing of the work to minimise any disruption.

Project manager Dilbir Chana said: “National Grid’s job is to connect people to the energy they use and help to ensure safe and reliable gas supplies for decades to come.”

The work at Welwyn forms part of National Grid’s ongoing 30-year pipe replacement programme.

It involves replacing aging pipes with new, hard-wearing plastic pipes that will last more than 80 years if left undisturbed in the ground.