OREANDA-NEWS. Engineers upgrading gas mains on two busy Lincoln roads have been getting a helping hand from new technology in their efforts to complete the works on time.

Gas network company National Grid has drafted in a 'vacuum extractor' to assist engineers working in Monks Road and Newark Road. The machine acts like a giant vacuum cleaner, sucking up soil and other materials under the road surface, making it easier and quicker to carry out the excavation work needed for the gas pipe to be replaced.

Work is currently underway on a five-week project to renew 430 metres of gas main in Monks Road. The work, which is split into two phases, began on 5 August.

During the first phase, expected to take three weeks, Monks Road has been made one-way, from the junction with the A15 to Lincoln College, with access for westbound traffic only - vehicles heading into Lincoln. Eastbound traffic - motorists leaving Lincoln - is being diverted via A15 Wragby Road and B1308 Greetwell Road or via St Rumbolds Street, Croft Street and Baggholme Road.

Shops and businesses in Monks Road are open for business as usual.

A second project - a seven-week gas mains renewal project in Newark Road - is now heading towards the home strait, with work expected to be complete by late August. To carry out the work safely, temporary traffic lights are in place, which are manned from 7am to 7pm to reduce disruption to motorists.

The gas mains upgrades will keep gas flowing to local, homes and businesses for decades to come. The existing metal mains are being replaced with new, hardwearing plastic pipe, which has a lifespan of 80 years if left undisturbed in the ground.

National Grid authorising engineer Paul Martin said: “These works are essential to secure safe and reliable gas supplies to local homes and businesses and we thank people for bearing with us. Wherever possible we always try to minimize disruption and new technology is helping us with this.”