Roads near to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle city centre have been closed and the Newcastle University campus evacuated after a "gas escape" in the area.
The police, fire service and teams from Northern Gas Networks have been on the scene of a damaged gas main on Thursday afternoon in Queen Victoria Road outside of the hospital. This has seen roads closed including the Great North Road, Claremont Road, Richardson Road and Barras Bridge, but the RVI itself is understood to be operating normally.
Northern Gas Networks said there had been "third party damage to a medium-pressure gas main". During the afternoon, the smell of gas was present in the area.
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The gas board said the situation had been rapidly made safe and there was no impact on gas supplies locally. A spokesperson for NGN said: "Our teams were called to a gas escape in Newcastle city centre earlier today, following third party damage to a medium pressure gas main. Engineers were on site quickly to make the situation safe and there is no impact on local gas supplies.
"So we can carry out the repair as quickly and safely as possible, we’ve had a close a section of Queen Victoria Road. This will remain in place until the repair is completed and is essential for protecting our workforce and members of the public. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause customers in the meantime."
The police said closures were likely to last until around 6pm. A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "We have been alerted to a report of a gas pipe issue in Newcastle city centre on Queen Victoria Road near to the Royal Victoria Infirmary Hospital (RVI). Emergency services are currently in attendance and have evacuated the nearby Newcastle University campus as a precaution. "
The police have also asked members of the public to stay away, saying: "Please could we ask that members of the public avoid the area while we support our partners to make the area safe again. Thank you for your cooperation."
The RVI continues to operate as normal, though vehicle access is currently restricted to emergency service vehicles only.
A Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) spokesperson, said: "We can confirm we are aware of the suspected gas leak on Queen Victoria Road and have had an appliance in attendance as a precaution, to support the Police and our partners."
Anyone who smells gas should call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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