Low risk, but road restrictions remain after gas blast

By The Editor
Jan 11, 2010

Road restrictions are still in force after an explosion at the BOC Gases depot  in St Philips on Thursday, despite police saying the risk of further blasts are very low.

Three people were injured at the scene — with one reported to have suffered serious burns – at 2.50pm, causing delays and diversions to rail services into Temple Meads from Bath.

Last night, Avon & Somerset police said the existing road closure for vehicles on Feeder Road between Avonside Road and Netham Bridge would remain in place – but entry for pedestrians would be allowed.

Further details:

The Whitby Road junction with Newbridge Road closure has been relocated to the entrance to the Unicorn Business Park off Whitby Road just before the railway bridge. Pedestrians and vehicles can now access businesses along that route but there is no thoroughfare of any kind beyond the Unicorn Business Park. Businesses on the River Avon side of the road will not be able to have vehicular access due to the position of the Fire Service high volume hosepipe.

The Whitby Road junction with St Philips Causeway closure has been relocated to Whitby Road junction with Pioneer Business Park. The revised closure will cross Whitby Road between the HSS Hire shop and the Renault garage and will prevent access to Renault and any premises or location on Whitby Rd and beyond e.g. Eldon Way. Access to businesses not affected by this revised closure will be available for both pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Chief Inspector Mark Jackson, from Avon & Somerset police, thanked businesses and residents in the area for their patience, adding the closures could end during Monday.

“The risk of another explosion in this area is very low and therefore the risk to the public in these areas is also minimal. However in order to ensure the risk remains low we must continue to secure the site, which means that the road closures will need to remain in place until, at the earliest, some time on Monday,” he said.

“The police, local authority and fire service are all working closely together to find a solution to allow the road to be re-opened and options for doing so, will explored tomorrow. We are doing all we can to minimise the disruption caused within this area, however public safety must always come first.”