Gas engineers working to repair major leak

Gas workers remain on the scene of a "major" gas leak, where a number of properties have been evacuated.

Cornwall Council said on Thursday Wales and West engineers were working to isolate the leak on Pengover Road in Liskeard.

Peter Frearson, Wales & West Utilities gas emergency service manager for Cornwall, said the company was called to reports of a gas leak on Thursday and immediately sent out engineers to investigate.

He said: "When we arrived, we found that third-party contractors who were working in the area had damaged a gas pipe running beneath the road, causing it to leak. As a precaution, the emergency services had evacuated a small number of properties in the area."

Frearson said engineers had been working through the night to make the area safe and carry out repairs as quickly as possible.

"While this remains a complex job, we are making good progress and, barring any unexpected circumstances, hope to complete the repair by this evening," he said.

He added Pengover Road had already been closed as part of third-party contractors' work and would remain closed while work was being done to fix the leak.

Frearson said the leak was constantly being monitored, did not pose a wider safety concern and had no impact on local gas supplies.

"We appreciate the patience and understanding of local people while we carry out this essential repair," he said.

On Thursday Devon and Cornwall Police said the gas leak was south of the A390 and Addington was "major" and Pengover Road had been closed in both directions.

Archie Farmer spoke to BBC Radio Cornwall from the scene on Friday and said: "There's a cordon seemingly in place.

"The good thing for the local residents here the doctors' and hospital access seems to be open... there is a little bit more movement than there was last night."

He said he could see police vehicles in attendance and Wales & West Utilities engineers.

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