A BUSY Hampshire main road was shut earlier today following a gas leak caused by a lorry crash.

Roadworks have ground to a halt in Newgate Lane as gas workers try to determine how a gas leak occurred.

Police officers are at the scene helping with and road closures were in place between Longfield Avenue and Speedfields Park.

The damage was discovered at 9.43am and engineers from Southern Gas Networks (SGN) arrived at 9.57am to assess the damage.

The company stresses the situation is "under control" and it was not neccessary to evacuate anyone from the area.

Temporary traffic lights were put in place mid-afternoon, between Longfield roundabout and Speedfield Park roundabout, by Hendy Ford, allowing the road to partially reopen.

Collingwood Retail Park is next to where the leak is believed to have happened and shop workers said there is an eerie atmosphere.

The retail park is home to Pets at Home, Homebase and Poundstretcher and one sales assistant in Pets at Home said they haven't had any customers since the road closed an hour and a half ago.

Roadworks to ease congestion started in Newgate Road last year and shop workers say traffic has been bad for a while because of them but worry the leak will make it worse for commuters this evening.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary, said: "Please be aware that we are currently assisting with road closures in both directions on Newgate Lane in Fareham as a gas leak has been reported following a collision between a dumper truck and a gas main.

"Our colleagues from the Gas Board are currently on scene to start repair works. However delays will be expected, so we are advising road users to find alternate routes. "

A SGN spokeswoman said: "We were called out this morning to Newgate Lane, Fareham. One of our gas mains has been damaged by a third party. We were notified at 9.43am and our engineers arrived onsite at 9.57am.

"We currently have a team onsite and the situation is under control. We are assessing the extent of the damage with a view to carrying out a repair as quickly and safely as possible.

"Due to the location of the damaged main, it has been necessary to put a road closure in place in Newgate Lane. No properties have been evacuated.

"We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused while we carry out this emergency repair work."