News / police
Gas leak that shut down city centre ‘could take several hours to resolve’
A major gas leak that has caused a large portion of the city centre to be shut down “could take several hours to resolve”.
Police cordons are stretching along St Augustine’s Parade and a number of businesses have been evacuated after emergency services were called to the scene leak on Colston Street 1.43pm on Sunday.
“We were called to reports of a gas leak in the Colston Street area of Bristol this afternoon and immediately sent engineers to investigate,” a spokesperson from Wales & West Utilities said.
“When we arrived, we found a leak on a gas pipe running beneath the road, and the emergency services were in control of the scene. As a precaution, the emergency services have evacuated nearby properties and have closed Colston Street and Lower Park Road.
Traffic is being diverted and buses are stationary
“We are now working as safely and as quickly as possible to make the area safe and stop the leak, but we do not know how long our work will take. In order to keep the local community and our colleagues safe, we will need to keep the road closures in place while we work.
“The leak is being constantly monitored and there has been no impact on local gas supplies. We appreciate the patience and understanding of local people while we carry out this essential work.”
Residents of a property on Colston Street were told by a contact to evacuate on emergency services orders.
“Please grab any essentials you may need from your home or business as soon as possible,” they said in a message.
“Take your phone, charger, any medication, some water, and a bank card or cash if you have it.
“Emergency services have indicated that this situation could take several hours to resolve.”
The Bristol Beacon, which is in the evacuated area, has cancelled Sunday evening’s concerts with Arooj Aftab & London Contemporary Orchestra and Michel Padron’s Afro Cuban Orchestra.
Buses have been stationary along Broad Quay and Colston Avenue for at least an hour and traffic is being diverted.
Roads are closed from the Bearpit through to Park Row, Park Street, and Anchor Road.
They include Lodge Street and Park Street Avenue.
All photos: Martin Booth
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