Weekend traffic issues in Salisbury city centre caused by gas leak
Emergency repair works have been needed on Exeter Street
Traffic problems around Salisbury city centre over the weekend were caused by a gas leak that needed emergency repairs.
An update's been provided by Wiltshire Council following long queues around the one-way system from Friday evening (12th January).
The gas leak has been described as 'serious', with SGN engineers getting on site at around 4.30pm on Friday to start repair works.
Some properties had to be evacuated, with temporary traffic lights set up.
SGN have been working across the weekend to ensure the safety of the gas supply.
Cllr Caroline Thomas, Cabinet Member for Transport at Wiltshire Council, said:
“We apologise to anyone affected by these emergency gas works on Exeter Street in Salisbury, but this is a serious leak that needs urgent attention to keep people safe – and as the highways authority we must allow utilities companies to do this urgent work.
“Fortunately, the affected residents have now been able to return to their properties, and SGN is hoping to finish all work on site by tomorrow (Tuesday 16th January).
“However, this is dependent on there being a zero gas reading in the trench – for the safety of residents in the area, SGN cannot reinstate the road or leave the site until gas readings are at safe levels, so it may take extra time.
“To help reduce traffic queues, SGN has been operating the traffic lights manually but, unfortunately as Exeter Street is a busy area, people have experienced delays and will continue to do so until the work is completed, so we would advise people to find an alternative route.
“We have been liaising regularly with SGN about this work, and getting it finished quickly and safely is a priority for them, and the traffic lights will be removed as soon as it is safe to do so.”