A303 closed for 12 hours as broken down car causes 'substantial' spillage

A BROKEN down car which leaked a "substantial" amount of fuel closed the A303 for 12 hours.

Emergency services were called to reports of a car leaking diesel and oil onto the main road in Amesbury at 3.20pm yesterday, May 6.

Wiltshire Police closed the eastbound section of road, near Solstice Park, until 3.30am the following morning for emergency resurfacing to take place.

Motorists were caught in two miles of congestion, with delays of 20 minutes, at the peak of the disruption.

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Live updates: A303 traffic: Diesel spill closes main Wiltshire road

A spokesperson for National Highways said: "The eastbound A303 was closed near Amesbury following a broken down car leaking fuel and oil onto the carriageway at 3.20pm yesterday.

"Working with Wiltshire Police, the road was closed with diversion routes in place and following recovery of the vehicle the carriageway was assessed for damage as a result of the substantial spillage."

A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: "We responded to reports that a broken down vehicle was leaking diesel onto the A303 carriageway near the Amesbury turn off just before 3pm yesterday (Monday).

"The road was closed due the surface being very slippery and reopened around 3.30am this morning (Tuesday)."