A KEY ROUTE into Southampton has has been shut following a diesel leak from a lorry.

A slip road on the A33 Millbrook Road at Millbrook Roundabout could be closed until tomorrow for resurfacing.

The eastbound sliproad carriageway onto the Millbrook Roundabout has been sealed off after a car transporter began leaking onto the road at 7.42am

The Environment Agency have been called to clean up the spill near McDonalds while diversions are put in place.

The incident is causing major delays on surrounding roads inlcuding the M271 and back to the M27 junction three towards Rownhams Services.

Matthew Ravenscroft, who works in McDonalds next to the incident, saw the truck leaking diesel and rushed to stop the driver from driving off.

Thinking the truck was leaking petrol, the 29-ywear-old from Millbrook said: “I was looking down the road and I saw there was a metal rod poking through the fuel tank and scraping along the road.

“I thought he was going to the docks and that this would cause and accident I thought I have got to stop him.

“I ran across into the lane of traffic right in front of the lorry to stop him.

“I got him out of the lorry but he did not understand what I was saying. I made a sign out of cardboard which said petrol on it and an arrow pointing to the road and stood next to the road to slow cars down because they  were really speeding down there. I called 999 and they were here really quickly.

“There was loads of fuel spilling out and the smell was really strong.”

Daily Echo: Pawel Gargula

The driver of the lorry Pawel Gargula, 45, said: “I drove up to the traffic lights and stopped at the roundabout and a man from McDonalds ran up to stop me.

“I looked out and saw the problem and got out of my truck and saw a piece of metal going into the tank. I had not noticed it was leaking diesel until I stopped at the traffic lights.

“I have been driving for 19 years and  this has never happened to me before – it was just an accident and not my fault.”

Inspector Kirsty Shannon said: "The road needs to be closed due to the diesel reacting with the surface of the road and breaking it up and it needs to be resurfaced.

"We are working with the Environmental Agency, Southern Water and the fire department.

"Some of the diesel has entered the drain and we need to minimise the impact on the local environment.

"I would like to thank everyone for their patience - the time scale for this is beyond our control and safety is our top priority."

Police expect the road to be closed until tomorrow for the road to be resurfaced.

A spokesman for Southampton City Council, said: "A car transporter has leaked fuel at Millbrook Roundabout near the McDonald’s restaurant resulting in a closure of the inbound slip-road.

"Southampton City Council’s Highways Partnership is working with the Environment Agency and the emergency services to clear this as quickly as possible. Motorists using the route should expect delays in the area. The closure will be in place for at least 24 hours to allow a section of the carriageway to be resurfaced. We will update as the situation develops.

"Motorists are advised to avoid M27/M271 route to Dock Gate 20 / Millbrook roundabout wherever possible and should use A33 / The Avenue, Winchester Road."