THE company responsible for an inaccurate map that did not show an uncharted gas pipe and caused the evacuation of Fisherton Street has issued a statement.

Scotia Gas Networks (SGN) had not charted the gas pipe, which ran to the first floor of City Hall, when utility checks were undertaken for the Fisherton Gateway project.

The gas company has blamed inheriting records of pipes installed decades ago for why the map given to Milestone contractors was inaccurate.

It also advised anyone carrying out excavations to ensure safe digging practices are observed and to contact the owner of any asset discovered while digging for assistance.

Read more: ​Fisherton gas: More leaks from 'uncharted' pipe and how it started

Milestone, hired by Wiltshire Council to complete the £9m project, found an unidentified pipe while excavating the road adjacent to City Hall on Wednesday, October 25.

Workers decided it was no longer required because it wasn't providing a live supply but noticed a strong smell of gas while removing it.

Fisherton Street was evacuated at around 5.20pm when the emergency services arrived.

See more: ​Gas leak in Fisherton Street saw families separated for hours

SGN has explained how the pipe went uncharted, spokesperson Waseem Hanif said: "On rare occasions maps for underground utilities can be inaccurate due to records being inherited and many pipes being installed decades previously.

"Therefore, we always advise anyone carrying out excavations to ensure safe digging practices are observed and to contact the owner of any asset (pipe or cable) discovered while digging for assistance."