A MAIN road in Newquay has been closed following a gas leak, which could impact Boardmasters traffic.

Wales & West Utilities is working to fix a damaged underground gas pipe at Trenninick Hill.

Openreach engineers were working on an installation when they noticed the smell of gas coming from one of their ducts.

Wales & West Utilities engineers were sent to investigate and discovered the damaged gas pipe running beneath the road, which had caused it to leak.

The road was initially due to close for six hours between Mellanvrane Lane and Treloggan Lane on Thursday for the planned Openreach work.

Wales & West Utilities will be fixing the pipe, which it states is a “complex job,” before Openreach can resume its planned activity.

Tens of thousands of people will be descending on Newquay to attend Boardmasters, which gets underway on Wednesday, August 6.

Vehicles have been driving through the barriers despite signs stating the route is closed.

Richard Marks, Wales & West Utilities gas emergency service manager for Newquay, said: “We were called to reports of a gas leak in the Treninnick Hill area of Newquay on Thursday, July 31 and immediately sent out engineers to investigate.

“When we arrived, we found that Openreach, who were working in the area, had damaged a gas pipe running beneath the road, causing it to leak.

"Openreach had already closed Treninnick Hill to carry out their work, and so to keep our colleagues and other road users safe, we will need to keep the road closure in place while we work to fix the leak.

“This is a complex job, and we do not yet know how long this work will take. Our engineers are working as safely and as quickly as possible to fix this leak. Once we are done, we will hand the road closure back over to Openreach so they can complete their work.

“We appreciate the patience and understanding of local people while we carry out this essential repair.”