Traffic controls in the western section of Middle Road will soon be removed after Belco’s trench work migrates west, the electric company advised.

Work to lay conduits for underground transmission cables restarted in February and have reached the Railway Trail at Frank’s Bay in Southampton.

The work will continue along the trail until it reaches the area of Whale Bay Road, also in Southampton, with a short section of trenching along Middle Road to the Belco substation near the entrance of Evans Bay Road.

A Belco spokesman said: “On the Railway Trail where trenching will continue, trees have been trimmed and a safe path has been created for walkers, runners and pedal bikes utilising the Railway Trail.

“However, the area is a construction zone and we urge the public to exercise extreme caution when moving near open trenches.

“When possible, the public should plan accordingly and refrain from entering the construction area.”

The spokesman said there would be a pause in work once the project reached Evans Bay before Belco crews excavate sections of the trench in the year’s third quarter to pull through sections of cable and joint new cables.

Actions will be taken to give local motor vehicles access to their properties on the Railway Trail, though access may be temporarily blocked in some instances.

Shelly Leman, the managing director of Belco, said: “I continue to encourage everyone to drive safely around open trenches and working crews.

“I thank the public for their patience and understanding and look forward to the project being completed and ensuring a more reliable and resilient network for all our customers.”