Buildings evacuated after gas leak detected

Residents and businesses in Queens Road have been evacuated following a gas leak which has resulted in high levels of gas detected in their properties.

Emergency workers for Cadent have been digging up the road since last Sunday 24th November but the deeply buried gas mains pipe is badly corroded and may have been leaking gas into the subsoil for months.

Cadent have now closed Castle Street to traffic whilst they investigate further. Parliament Square is open for access only but through traffi cis being diverted via St.Andrew Street.

Repairs could take several weeks.

Residents are staying with friends and family but some have been put up in Hertford House Hotel.

They were evacuated urgently and left with few possessions, some have been allowed to temporarily return to their properties to collect essentials.