AN important link road through Thurrock is likely to remain closed for at least another day as gas engineers deal with what one of them described as 'a very bad leak'.

The leak was discovered yesterday (Wednesday, 3 February) when nearby premises and flats adjacent to the junction of Dock Road with Wood Street were temporarily evacuated because the gas was filtering into the buildings.

Police and gas engineers made the decision to close the road yesterday and it remains shut, with significant excavations taking place. The close of the routes mean local buses have been diverted.

A spokesperson for Cadent, the gas network engineering company who are no stranger to Thurrock roads, said: "We are not able to say exactly when the leak will be safely dealt with.

"Supplies of gas was cut off to around ten properties as a precaution, five of them have now been reconnected but we are working on the others and also on sealing the leak itself on Dock Road."