THE fire service has said the gas leak on London Road earlier today was caused "by someone digging and rupturing a gas pipe in the city". 

In an update shared at 9.30pm this evening, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service described the gas leak as "significant", and confirmed that trains will not be running through Salisbury until tomorrow morning.

Live updates: 75 people evacuated following gas leak on London Road but road now reopen

The service was advised by SGN of the leak at a site off London Road at 4.12pm today (17 April).

Three fire crews, two from Salisbury and one from Wilton, are on scene, together with water carriers from Andover and Wilton, and an incident command vehicle from Devizes.

As a precaution, an 80m cordon was put in place, and approx. 75 people were evacuated to a place of safety.

The fire service's update added: "SGN engineers have now confirmed that the cordon can be reduced, and displaced residents have now returned home.

"London Road was closed between the A30/A338 roundabout and the Hampton Park roundabout, but this has been reopened.

"However, the railway line remains within the reduced cordon and therefore has to stay closed until SGN have made the repair safely.

"Information for affected travellers, including commuters and students, can be found on South Western Railway’s website and social media channels."

There may be also be some issues with mobile phone coverage in the area around the leak, as two masts need to be closed down temporarily as a safety measure.

Anyone in the immediate area may still be able to smell gas in the air, so the advice remains to stay indoors and keep doors/windows closed.

SGN engineers will be working through the night to make the repair. DWFRS, other emergency services and partners are working with them on scene to bring this incident to a conclusion as quickly as possible.