Essential gas works in Coombe Valley Road have begun early to avoid a clash with the opening of the new hospital.

Gas distribution company SGN started on Tuesday to upgrade the immediate gas supply network in the road.

Spokesman Chloe Boyce said: “Our work has been planned to take into account the opening of the new local hospital.

“While the work is due for completion at the end of June, Coombe Valley Road will fully reopen at the end of May.”

The new Buckland Hospital announced a further delay last month which was blamed on an electrical fault.

It was set to open to the public in May but this has been extended to June.

Peter Gilmour, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust director of communications, said: “There’s been a delay in terms of the electrical systems within the site.

“It’s a hospital. We need to make sure it’s right. It’s not something we can take any risk on whatsoever.”

'It’s a hospital. We need to make sure it’s right. It’s not something we can take any risk on whatsoever.' - Peter Gilmour

It was feared patients’ access to the hospital may be limited if the road was closed around the scheduled opening time.

Miss Boyce said: “Lane closures and a road closure will be necessary at various stages of our work to ensure the safety of the public and our engineers.

“Our project will be carried out in four stages. It will proceed in London Road from the junction with Coombe Valley Road to opposite number 252.

“We will also be working in Coombe Valley Road from the junction with London Road to outside number 38.

“The existing metal gas main is coming to the end of its useful life and therefore we will be replacing it with modern plastic pipe with a minimum life span of around 80 years.”