A section of the main road through Shenley will be closed for ten days next month to allow a gas company to complete its pipe-laying project.

Transco this week said it had received permission to close London Road, between Radlett Lane and Rectory Lane, from Monday, November 5.

The company, part of British Gas plc, started work on the project, to install plastic mains pipes, early in July and expected to finish it last month.

But Transco said that, because of the condition of the ground, it had been forced to dig up much more of the road than it had planned.

A spokesperson said: "We apologise for the delay in this work, but we are trying to accommodate everyone and keep disruption to a minimum."

The road closure was necessary because, due to the narrowness of the road, it was the only way to make enough room for the site workers.

Temporary traffic lights now in place in London Road should be removed at the end of this week, when part of the project is finished.

No further work will then take place until November 5, and the company hopes to complete the entire project by Thursday, November 15.