Overview
- A ruptured gas main beneath Colston Street prompted an immediate multi-agency response that was reported at about 1:43pm on Sunday, June 21.
- Fire crews, police, ambulance teams and Wales & West Utilities engineers set a wide safety cordon and carried out door-to-door evacuations of homes, student housing and venues in the area.
- Bristol Beacon was evacuated and two concerts were cancelled as organisers followed emergency instructions and the police warned the cordon would remain in place for some time.
- Major roads from the Bearpit through Park Row, Park Street and Anchor Road were closed, causing severe city-centre traffic gridlock, bus diversions and restricted access to the bus and coach station.
- Engineers dug overnight to access and isolate the leak, stopped the immediate gas flow and made the area safe by Monday morning while a small closure remains near Trenchard Street as full repairs continue.