Ruptured gas main triggers city centre evacuation

Residents and businesses are being evacuated as emergency services respond to a ruptured gas main in a city centre.

Avon and Somerset Police has set up a 200m (656ft) cordon including the St James Barton Roundabout through to Park Row, Park Street, and Anchor Road in Bristol.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service has urged the public to avoid the area around Colston Street to prevent further congestion due to the large number of emergency response vehicles at the scene.

Ambulance crews and Wales & West Utilities are also in attendance, and are "actively monitoring the gas leak and working to isolate this as quickly as possible", the fire service added.

The fire service said the incident was first reported at 13:43 BST.

Some people in the area have been caught inside the cordon, like Hayden, who came from the Bearpit to look around a few shops on Park Street.

He said: "We've found ourselves stuck between two places, we can't access either way.

"It is quite scary because it's a very large area of Bristol they've cordoned off."

Hayden described a "very strong" smell of gas floating in the breeze, and said the major emergency response had left him "quite worried".

Mary and Jason had travelled from Trowbridge to celebrate Father's Day with their three children, but instead found themselves caught up in the incident.

"The car park is closed and they've closed all the roads so we can't get through," Jason said.

"We've just got to wait till it clears up. Not what we expected today really."

"We're trying to get home now, it's going to be a late evening," Mary added.

In a statement, the Bristol Beacon music and arts venue said it had also been evacuated as a precaution.

"A cordon has been put in place by the police, and travel into the city centre is currently not advised," it said.

"We are following instructions from the relevant authorities and will update later this afternoon as to whether tonight's performances with Arooj Aftab & London Contemporary Orchestra in Beacon Hall and Michel Padron's Afro Cuban Orchestra in Lantern Hall can go ahead.

"Customers will be advised via email if the performances are cancelled. Thank you for your understanding and patience."

First Bus said multiple services have been affected as drivers are unable to access the bus station near the Bearpit roundabout.

The Park Street closure means buses are being diverted via Anchor Road and Jacob Wells Road, meaning no services will run to College Green or the top of Park Street.

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