Gas leak emergency incident halts Inverness rail services
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Scotrail has said that all rail traffic in and out of Inverness has been stopped due to a gas leak near the city station.
Police said that that the gas leak was from a train at Inverness.
And the emergency situation also caused considerable road traffic disruption in the city centre with the Eastgate Centre underpass at Falcon Square being shut by police.
Traffic was also being stopped from entering Academy Street at the Chapel Street end, although traffic from Crown was being allowed along the major thoroughfare.
The Morrisons supermarket was evacuated and the car park was also cordoned off with police tape during the incident.
Services to and from Aberdeen to Inverness are affected with no stops taking place at Inverness or Inverness airport and travellers are asked to check before travelling is these are an intended destination.
Police Scotland said: “Around 10.25am on Tuesday, 14 May, we were made aware of a gas leak from a train in the Millburn Road area of Inverness.
“Emergency services are in attendance and the public are asked to avoid the Millburn Road and Academy Street areas.
“The Eastgate Shopping Centre and Morrisons have been evacuated as a precaution.”
An initial brief statement from ScotRail said: “Due to a gas leak near the railway, all lines to/from Inverness are closed.”
Later ScotRail said: “Ticket acceptance is in place with Stagecoach North Scotland Buses and Scottish Citylink services between Inverness, Glasgow, and Edinburgh.
“Bus replacements are also confirmed to run between Perth and Inverness. Customers are advised to check the ScotRail app, website, or social media channels for service updates.
Phil Campbell, ScotRail Customer Operations Director, said: “We are sorry to customers who have experienced disruption to their journey today.
“Anyone delayed by 30 minutes or more is entitled to compensation though our Delay Repay Guarantee. Just keep hold of your tickets and claim on the ScotRail website or mobile app.”
