UPDATE: 9.15pm

Work is continuing overnight to repair a gas pipe on Avondale Road in Cwmbran.

Roads in the immediate vicinity - Avondale Road, Chapel Lane and Pontrhydyrun Road - have been closed since around 2pm in a bid to ensure public safety, whilst a pub and a hotel were also evacuated.

A spokesperson for Wales & West Utilities said:

“Due to the complexity of this job, and of the gas network in this area, we are not yet able to say how long this work will take. Our engineers are working through the night, as safely and as quickly as they can, to make the pipe safe so the roads can be reopened.

“We do not currently anticipate that the road will be reopened before midday tomorrow (October 9) but we will keep the local community updated.

“Wales & West Utilities provides the gas emergency service across Wales and the south west of England.

"If anyone smells gas, thinks they have a gas leak, or suspects carbon monoxide poisoning, they should call us on 0800 111 999 and our engineers will be there to help, day or night.”

Update: 4.58pm

 

Update: 4.56pm

 

Update: 4.44pm

 

 

Update: 4.40pm

 

Update: 4.39pm

Update: 4.15pm

Pontrhydyrun Road has been closed because of the suspected gas leak.

Free Press Series:

UPDATE: 3.15PM

A PUB and a hotel have been evacuated due to a suspected gas leak on Avondale Road in Cwmbran.

Three roads in the surrounding area have also been closed as a precaution.

Gas engineers from Wales & West Utilities are currently at the scene trying to make th gas pipe safe.

A spoeksman for the utility company said:

“We were told of a suspected gas leak on Avondale Road, Cwmbran early this afternoon and immediately sent our engineers to the area. They found that damage had been caused to a gas pipe by a third party contractor.

“As a precaution, the emergency services evacuated a nearby pub and hotel, and the roads in the immediate vicinity - Avondale Road, Chapel Lane and Pontrhydyrun Road have been closed.

“Our engineers are working as safely and as quickly as they can to make the pipe safe so the roads can be reopened.

“Wales & West Utilities provides the gas emergency service across Wales and the south west of England. If anyone smells gas, thinks they have a gas leak, or suspects carbon monoxide poisoning, they should call us on 0800 111 999 and our engineers will be there to help, day or night.”

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FIRE service crews are currently in attendance of a gas leak on Avondale Road in Cwmbran.

A spokesman from the fire service said there was likely to be 'major disruption' in the area.

The gas board are also at the scene.