A27 gas leak: Chichester Bypass expected to remain closed overnight

The A27 Chichester Bypass remains closed in both directions between Oving Road and Bognor Road while engineers carry out urgent repairs to a damaged gas network.

The incident happened at about 4pm this afternoon at a building site off Shopwhyke road, and Highways England have also reported a burst water main in the area.

Gas company SGN said the closure is likely to be in place overnight and motorists are advised to plan alternative routes.

H16P7 currently at Gas leak incident supporting West Sussex @ChichesterFire, building site off Shopwhyke road. 100m cordon in place, residents advised to stay inside and keep windows and doors shut. pic.twitter.com/ii75zuaKyA

— Havant Fire Station (@HavantFire16) February 1, 2021

Police have been supporting the fire service at the scene and drivers are urged to avoid the area.

Residents are advised to keep doors and windows shut and to stay inside while repair work is carried out.

Witnesses at the scene have described a "very strong smell of gas".

We have closed the A27 with the junction of the A285 at Portfield Way and the junction of the A259 in both directions due to a gas leak. The B2144 Oving Road is also shut and drivers are asked to avoid the area. We are supporting @WestSussexFire at the scene. pic.twitter.com/4m4Ezx9J1i

— Chichester Police (@Chichester_Pol) February 1, 2021

SGN said: "The A27 Chichester Bypass has been closed in both directions between Oving Road and Bognor Road for everyone's safety while our engineers carry out urgent repairs to our network damaged earlier today.

"The closure is likely to be in place overnight and we'd advise motorists to plan alternative routes."

A27 #Chichester, between #A285 Portfield Roundabout and #A259 Bognor Roundabout, still remains CLOSED in BOTH directions @SGNgas pic.twitter.com/dci2O8xa5J

— Highways England (@HighwaysSEAST) February 1, 2021

Eastbound traffic can exit the A27 at the A259/Bognor Road roundabout and continue onto the A259 Bognor Road, and then join the A29 westbound towards the A27.

Motorists can then resume their jouneys eastbound along the A27 from the Fontwell West roundabout.

Westbound diverted traffic can exit the A27 at the Fontwell West Roundabout, continue onto the A29 and travel southbound towards Bognor Regis and follow the reverse of the eastbound route.