Busy A5 closed over gas leakage

The busy A5 in south Staffordshire had to be closed for almost five hours after a tanker leaked dangerous chemicals.

Staffordshire Police officers were called out to the A5 between Longford Island and Gailey, near Cannock, just before 7pm last night.

The road was closed off by officers as a precaution and traffic was diverted away from the scene as the leak was dealt with.

Firefighters called to the incident found that a tanker had leaked small amounts of extremely flammable methyl chloride gas from its valves.

The company that owned the tanker arrived to make repairs to the vehicle to prevent any further leaks and the road was reopened by 11.30pm.

Sgt Tracey Pointon of Staffordshire Police said: "A tanker had leaked a small amount of chemicals.

"None of the residents living nearby needed to be evacuated from their homes."