A MAJOR gas leak caused chaos as a road was closed and shoppers had to be evacuated from a supermarket.

Contractors working at a construction site on Portland are said to have damaged a pipe which caused a “high-volume gas escape” and prompted warnings for people to stay away from the area.

Police and firefighters were alerted to Hamm Beach Road at Osprey Quay yesterday morning following reports of a gas leak.

The road, which leads to the sailing academy, was closed between its junction with Portland Beach Road and its junction with Mereside and a 60-metre cordon was put in place - which meant the Lidl supermarket had to close with shoppers evacuated.

The sailing academy remained open however.

Dorset Echo: Hamm Beach Road junction with Mereside was closed in both directionsHamm Beach Road junction with Mereside was closed in both directions (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

It was warned yesterday morning the road would be closed for up to 24 hours but it was hoped to get it open before then.

It is understood the construction site where the gas main was damaged - opposite Lidl and next to Portland Harbour - is the site for a new Starbucks and business units.

Dorset Echo: The construction site in the background was the source of the gas leakThe construction site in the background was the source of the gas leak (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

Speaking yesterday, a spokesperson for gas distribution company SGN said: “We are on site in Hamm Beach Road, Portland, attending a high-volume gas escape. For safety reasons, the police closed the road at roughly 11am. The road will remain closed as our team of engineers carry out investigation and begin repairs to our gas main which was damaged by a third party.

“The local Lidl is within our safety cordon and is currently closed. A signed local diversion route will be in place for motorists.

“At this stage it’s too early to say how long our emergency repairs will take but we’ll be working as quickly as possible and will keep everyone updated.

“We’d like to apologise for the disruption this is causing to the local community.”

Dorset Echo: two fire engines responded to teh incident as the set up a 60m cordon around the gas leaktwo fire engines responded to teh incident as the set up a 60m cordon around the gas leak (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)A spokesperson for Lidl said: “Following a local gas leak unrelated to Lidl, we were advised by the local police and fire brigade to temporarily close our Portland store. We will reopen as soon as we’re advised we can do so.”

The fire service said they received a call at 11.12am about a gas leak and crews from Portland and Weymouth were sent.

They added: “The road has been closed so residents are being advised to avoid the area.”

Dorset Echo: The road was also closed to pedestrians The road was also closed to pedestrians (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

 

Dorset Echo: Sailing boats out on Portland Harbour Sailing boats out on Portland Harbour (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy did remain open, albeit with limited access.

An open day today at the Andrew Simpson Centre based at the academy is still going ahead (10am-3.30pm).

Yuna Wood from the centre said: “The gas company company has told us it is safe to go near it again.“We are doing an open day offering free sailing, discounted paddleboarding, kayaking and climbing.”

“All of the money raised will go straight back into the community. We do lots of work with schools and young people.

“It starts at 10am and finishes at 3.30pm and everyone is welcome.”