Businesses and commuters in the Cotswolds will face a new headache before and after the Easter break with the closure of a key route into Stroud for work on a gas pipeline – and the work, which coincides with a closure at nearby Dudbridge Hill, is scheduled to last for four weeks.

Wales and West Utilities (WWU) began an operation to upgrade gas infrastructure around the Stonehouse area, west of Stroud, on Monday. The repair service engineers saying that the work is essential to supplies flowing for local homes and businesses. Barring any "engineering difficulties", a spokesperson said the overall project will finish at the beginning of August.

They added: "The gas emergency and pipeline service has worked with Gloucestershire County Council to plan these works and it has been agreed that traffic management, including traffic lights, and road and lane closures, will be in place as the works progress.

"This initially involves a road closure on Ebley Road, between the Horsetrough Roundabout and Ryeford Road North from April 28 to May 23."

Mick Gallavin, WWU manager for the project, said: "This work is essential to keep the gas flowing to local homes and businesses today, and to make sure the gas network is ready to transport hydrogen and biomethane, so we can all play our part in a green future."

He added: "We know that working in areas like this is not ideal, but it really is essential to make sure we keep the gas flowing to homes and businesses in the area, and to make sure the gas network is fit for the future."

WWU said it will have a team of gas engineers on site throughout the project to ensure the work is completed as safely and as quickly as possible while keeping disruption to a minimum.

In a social media post warning about the impact of the work, which is close to Ryeford Industrial Estate, Shire Hall Cllr John Bloxsom warned: "Through traffic from Cainscross via Ebley Road won't be possible so a diversion will operate via Ebley bypass. Stagecoch will reroute the number 64 service via the bypass, meaning that those bus stops will be suspended."

He added that, depending on progress made after a couple of weeks, the contractor hopes to be able to revert to two-way traffic signals rather than maintaining a full closure.

Cllr Bloxsom, who represents Rodborough, also pointed out that the work joins another closure nearby: Dudbridge Hill was closed by Severn Trent from Monday this week until Thursday 17 April to make connections to adjacent new housing. 

● The contact number for enquiries with Severn Trent is 0800 783 444 while for any questions about the gas pipeline upgrading, you can contact WWU on 0800 912 2999.