WORKS on a gas main on a busy borough road will run into a second week after new excavations commenced today (Sunday, 22 June).

Residents and businesses had hoped the work, on a frequently revisited site where there have been many previous leaks, would be concluded today.

So too, it appears did part of the management at gas network provider Cadent, who dispatched a jet wash lorry and operator from Colchester to start clean up works and clear debris ahead of removal of traffic management equipment.

However, he was unable to start work because an engineering crew were digging up a new part of the road.

A strong smell of gas in the area, which had not been present in the week, indicated that work over the last few days had not solved the overarching problem on a mains pipeline that Cadent have already conceded will need replacing at some point.