Thirty minute delays as gas leak shuts busy Wolverhampton road

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A busy road in Wolverhampton was closed today following a gas leak - causing chaos for morning commuters.more

Drivers faced delays of up to 30 minutes after Bath Road, in Chapel Ash, was closed.

Queues snaked back on the A41 all the way up to Tettenhall Village, while the junction with Merridale Road and Tettenhall Road was closed.

The junction with the Ring Road St Andrews was also closed this morning.

Jane Taylor, a spokeswoman for National Grid, said: "It was reported to us yesterday and we began working on it straight away.

"There is a loss of gas just from wear and tear of the main.

"We try not to close a roads if possible but unfortunately the main is running down the middle so we have to, but we will try and get it open as soon as we can.

"Unfortunately it is work that has got to be done."

She said she expected the work to finish tomorrow or Thursday.

Gurdip Thandi, a spokesman for Wolverhampton City Council, said: "Motorists will not be able to access Bath Road from both Ring Road St Andrews and Tettenhall Road as National Grid work to repair a gas leak.

"Diversions are in place for motorists and work is anticipated to last until Thursday."

Lydia Walliams, a 30-year-old office worker from Newbridge, was caught in the queues.

"My normal 10-minute journey along the Tettenhall Road took more than half an hour," she said. "It was pretty chaotic - not helped by people stopping in the yellow box at Chapel Ash.

"The Tettenhall Road is never fun at rush hour but this was a real nightmare. I hope they get it fixed soon."