Rail lines reopen after gas leak closed lines and evacuated shopping centre

Rail lines have been reopened after a gas leak forced their closure and prompted the evacuation of a shopping centre in Inverness.

Network Rail confirmed that train lines going to and from Inverness had reopened after they were closed on Tuesday morning due to the leak.

Emergency services attended the scene with three fire engines dispatched.

Police evacuated the Eastgate Shopping Centre and Morrisons before putting up a cordon in the area.

British Transport Police confirmed around 3pm that the leak is not being treated as “suspicious” and the cordon has been lifted.

There have been no reports of injuries.

Ticket acceptance was put in place with Stagecoach North Scotland Buses and Scottish Citylink services between Inverness, Glasgow, and Edinburgh.

Bus replacements were also put in place to run between Perth and Inverness.

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A spokesperson for British Transport Police said: “Officers were called to the line near Inverness railway station at 9.49am May 14, to reports of a gas leak on board a freight train.

“A cordon was put in place while colleagues from Scottish Fire and Rescue worked to make the area safe.

“The leak is not being treated as suspicious and the cordon has now lifted.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 10.25am on Tuesday, May 14, 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.”

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 through our Delay Repay Guarantee. Just keep hold of your tickets and claim on the ScotRail website or mobile app.”

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “A freight train was found to be leaking gas from one of its tanks at Inverness Millburn depot this morning.

“There are no reports of injuries or damage to the train but the depot and surrounding areas have been evacuated as a precaution and we are working with the emergency services who are dealing with the leak.

“The Highland Mainline between Inverness and Aviemore is currently closed until it’s safe to re-open.”

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 9.54am on Tuesday, May 14, to reports of a gas leak from a train near Inverness Rail Station.

“Operations Control mobilised three fire appliances and specialist resources to the scene, where crews remain in attendance to assist partners in making the area safe.”

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