Churchdown Gas Leak – Updated

A leaking gas pipe which has forced the closure of the railway line between Gloucester and Cheltenham will be fixed “as soon as possible”.

But engineers from Wales and West Utilities can’t say yet when exactly that will be.

The leak was reported at about 9.30am and replacement bus services have been laid on to Gloucester, Cheltenham and Birmingham. Chosen Hill School was also evacuated for about an hour earlier today as a precaution.

A spokesman for Wales & West Utilities said: “Our engineers are working as safely and as quickly as they can in a field off Brookfield Lane, Churchdown, to repair a leaking gas pipe.

“This is a complex job and due to the nature of the work we are not yet able to say exactly how long this will take. We are working closely with Network Rail so the railway line in the vicinity of the gas leak can be opened as soon as possible. There is no impact on gas supplies.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this gas leak causes.”

Stagecoach West has said its drivers will accept valid train tickets on any routes cancelled.

Update:

Crosscountry Trains have tweeted to say the rail line is now reopen.