Rochester Esplanade will be closed for five weeks, due to gas works.

Work by SGN was due to start last week, but was delayed after Rochester West Cllr Stuart Tranter intervened, suggesting many residents had not been properly notified.

The five week closure will begin on Monday February 6, with work taking place from the junction of A2 Corporation Street to Chandlers Wharf.

Three weeks of work had then be planned to take place in College Yard and The Precinct from March 6, but will now take place at a later date, pending discussion with Medway Council.

A statement from Cllr Tranter said: "After my intervention this project has been ‘reset’. I was not content that all those affected had been properly notified, and there were errors in the procedures undertaken by SGN.

"I am most grateful to our streetworks manager for resolving this and refusing to allow the works to proceed. I also raised formally the more general issue of advance signs and better communications when road works such as this are likely to be a significant issue for residents and businesses, and I anticipate better procedures in future."

A statement from SGN said the work was being carried out by contractor WCB Utilities to replace old metal gas mains and services with new plastic pipe in the Esplanade area.

Diversion routes will be in place and access maintained for residents throughout the work.

The company added: "We understand that people can get frustrated by roadworks, and therefore we only use traffic management that we feel is efficient enough to complete these works safely for ourselves and the public.

"We’re writing to residents and other local stakeholders to make them aware of our project and explain the details of our work."

A further statement added: "We need to re-plan our work in College Yard and The Precinct following further consultation with the council. This phase of work will be carried out a later date and no longer immediately after completing upgrades in Esplanade. We will provide details of the work in College Yard and The Precinct once it is all agreed.

"We endeavour to notify affected stakeholders with as much advance warning as possible. We have a responsibility to share details of our work once agreed with local authorities to help support the communities we serve."