A WEST Somerset road is blocked after a fuel leak from a lorry following a crash.
The incident, on the A39 near Old Cleeve, happened at around 7.10am this morning (October 21), with emergency services sent to the scene.
Fire crews from Minehead, Taunton and Nether Stowey were sent to the scene after the crash, which involved a lorry and a car.
“One fire engine from Minehead attended reports of a road traffic collision involving a lorry and a car resulting in fuel spillage from the lorry’s fuel tank,” a Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said.
“The road is completely blocked with the collision and crews requested more fire service personnel to assist on scene so a fire engine from Nether Stowey was also mobilised.
“Due to the amount of fuel spilled from the HGV an Environmental Protection Unit is also attending from Taunton to assist.
“All persons were free and clear of the vehicles.”
Somerset Council said the route was closed to traffic, with buses being diverted in the area, with the closure expected to be in place until this evening.
First Bus services affected by the closure are:
- 28 services leaving Taunton to Minehead: are terminating at Watchet and heading back.
- 28 services leaving Minehead: there is 1 bus doing a local shuttle between Minehead and Carhampton.
- B1 service is also affected as drivers have been delayed getting to Bridgwater, which means the service is operating but at half the frequency.
“The team are doing everything they can to serve as many customers as possible,” a First Bus spokesperson added.
READ MORE: West Somerset news from your Leveller
This happened on a narrow blind corner, and it is not the first time or last. Somerset council needs to stop refusing to reduce the speed limit to 20mph on this dangerous stretch of road through the village.
Absolutely, this is the reason that west Somerset cannot withstand all the new houses that are due and recklessly being proposed in the future. Leave our green spaces alone!
That road has definitely gone busier over past ten years but still building more houses and businesses in Minehead there will be more crashes and probably fatalities if they don’t in prove road systems and traffic safety..