Travel chaos as 75 people evacuated and trains cancelled after gas leak (2024)

2 days ago20:55 Mieka Smiles

Commuters have been warned of "major disruption" following a gas leak.

Traffic chaos has ensured after the leak in Salisbury earlier this afternoon.

Now National Rail has issued a stark warning to those trying to travel by rail in the area.

Taking to social media platform X it said: "A gas leak has been discovered near the railway between Andover and Salisbury, for safety reasons, all lines are closed.

"Trains running between Basingstoke and Salisbury will be cancelled, revised or diverted via Romsey.

"Trains will be unable to call at Overton, Whitchurch, Andover and Grateley."

It added: "Major disruption is expected until the end of the day."

2 days ago20:38 Mieka Smiles

A Salisbury gas leak was caused by a "HGV hitting a gas pipe".

Around 75 people were evacuated from their properties, a 100m exclusion zone put in place and traffic chaos has ensued.

Now local publication the Salisbury Journal is reporting that the leak was caused by a "HGV hitting a gas pipe"

2 days ago20:21 Mieka Smiles

Below we share a map of the area containing the gas leak and the roads affected by closures.

London Road remains closed between A338 and Hampton Park roundabouts.

2 days ago20:14 Mieka Smiles

Wiltshire Police have posted a statment to social media platform X.

It reads: "We have been notified of a gas leak in the London Road area of Salisbury.

"The road is currently closed and we would urge people to avoid the area.

"Thank you for your patience."

2 days ago20:10 Mieka Smiles

A secondary school's alarm in Salisbury rang out due to a gas leak.

Alarms at St Joseph’s Secondary School in Laverstock went off although the school had already finished for the day, reports Salisbury Radio.

2 days ago20:07 Mieka Smiles

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service have issued an update on its website.

A statement from the service reads: "Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service was advised by SGN of a gas main leak at a site off London Road, Salisbury at 4.12pm today (17 April).

"Three fire crews, two from Salisbury and one from Wilton, are on scene, together with a water carrier from Andover and an incident command vehicle from Devizes.

"As a precaution, an 80m cordon has been put in place, and approx. 75 people have been evacuated to a place of safety.

"London Road is currently closed between the A30/A338 roundabout and the Hampton Park roundabout, and trains have been stopped by Network Rail and South Western Railway.

"Anyone in the immediate area may be able to smell gas in the air, so the advice is to stay indoors and keep doors/windows closed.

"DWFRS is working with other emergency services and partners to bring this incident to a conclusion as quickly as possible. Gas engineers are on scene, and attempts are underway to cap the leak so the safety precautions can be lifted."

2 days ago20:03 Mieka Smiles

Residents have been warned by emergency services to keep their window and doors closed.

In a tweet residents living near London Road were given the warning byDorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.

In a tweet on social media platform X the service said: "London Rd currently closed between A338 and Hampton Park roundabouts.

"Trains have been stopped as a precaution @NetworkRailWssx @SW_Help

"Please keep doors/windows closed and stay indoors if you are local."

2 days ago20:00 Mieka Smiles

Firefighters say that a 100m exclusion zone has been put in place in Salisbury following a gas leak.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said in a tweet on social media platform X: "We are currently at the scene of a burst gas main off London Road, #Salisbury.

"A 100m exclusion zone is in place, which has led to a stop on trains on that stretch by @networkrail and a closure has been requested for London Road."

It added: "#Please avoid the area!"

2 days ago19:57 Mieka Smiles

A train operator is advising that some of its customers may be eligible to book a taxi as its services are affected due to a gas leak.

A tweet from South Western Railway said: "Due to disruption between Andover and Salisbury, our customers are authorised to book their own taxi to travel between Basingstoke and Salisbury."

It added: "Please see the following Tweet for how to claim a refund for your journey."

You can see the full tweet below.

2 days ago19:54 Mieka Smiles

A railway operator has warned of cancellations and delays.

You can see the full tweet from South Western Railway on social media platform X below.

2 days ago19:51 Mieka Smiles

Hi.

My name is Mieka Smiles and I'll be bringing you the latest on this incident.

If you have any information you'd like to share please do get in touch.

Email - mieka.smiles@reachplc.com

X - @miekasmiles