An emergency cordon had to be put in place and a busy road closed amid safety fears over a major gas leak.

The main access road leading into the Longwater Retail Park and to the Queen’s Hill housing development in Costessey was closed to traffic after a gas main was damaged.

Emergency services were alerted by a 999 call at 1.50pm today (Thursday, April 29) following fears work near the main two metres off Alex Moorhouse Way.

Fire crews from Earlham and Carrow attended the incident and a 100m cordon was imposed around the scene of the leak.

Police said Alex Moorhouse Way had been closed to all traffic and officers had assisted the fire service.

Eastern Daily Press: Alex Moorhouse Way in Costessey has been closed due to a gas leak.Alex Moorhouse Way in Costessey has been closed due to a gas leak. (Image: Archant)

The road, which was reopened to traffic at about 4pm, runs adjacent to Sainsbury’s and at the rear of stores on Longwater Retail Park.

It leads to Sir Alfred Munnings Road which is the only access road into Queen’s Hill, which includes Queen’s Hill Primary School where some parents had been unable to pick up their children.