TRAINS running between Andover and Salisbury are likely to be cancelled this morning following a gas leak near the railway - Basingstoke also sees some delays.

The news comes after Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) firefighters were called to the scene of a burst gas main off London Road in Salisbury on Wednesday, April 17.

The gas leak led to the closure of of the road between the A30/A338 roundabout and the Hampton Park roundabout during rush hour, the evacuation of a nearby secondary school and the suspension of train services between Salisbury and Andover.

DWFRS also issued a fresh statement this morning, having last night said the leak was caused "by someone digging and rupturing a gas pipe". 

READ MORE: Gas leak affecting trains between Andover and Salisbury

DWFRS said repairs are expected to take until the early afternoon of Thursday, April 18.

A spokesperson said: “The Salisbury to Andover stretch of railway line will remain closed until this work is complete, and further updates will be made via Network Rail and South Western Railway.

Katie Lobban, spokesperson for gas network company SGN, said: "Due to the recent bad weather and ground conditions, this process is taking longer than first anticipated.

"Due to the close proximity of our gas main to the railway line, South Western Railway has closed the line between Salisbury and Andover for safety reasons. The railway line will remain closed until the gas leak has been made safe.

"There are also two mobile phone network masts within our cordon which have been turned off to ensure everyone's safety.

"We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause. This is an extremely complex engineering project  and we'd like to assure you we're working as quickly as possible to resolve the situation."

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Ms Lobhan added that they are making good progress and will have another update after lunch time. 

South Western Railway has taken to X to continue to update travellers about disruption with replacement buses in place for those travelling from Basingstoke to Salisbury calling at Andover.