Homes cut off after gas leak

Motorway commuters were caught in tailbacks

Almost 2,000 homes have had their gas supply cut off after a leak led to chaos on the M40.

Gas suppliers Transco cut off 1,800 homes in Banbury, Oxfordshire, after the major leak on Monday night.

Both exit slip roads at junction 11 of the M40 were also closed following damage to a gas main caused by contractors laying a fibre optic cable.

The leaking gas is being blown by strong winds out into the countryside north east of Banbury, and the police say there is no risk to the public.

Military alerted

But the homes could still be cut off until Wednesday morning.

Local road closures also caused major traffic problems in the town during Tuesday morning.

Engineers are continuing to work on the fractured pipe at the junction of Daventry Road and the A422.

A Banbury police spokesman said military crews on duty during the latest firefighters' strike have been briefed about the situation.

A spokeswoman for gas supplier Transco said that the repairs would take "some time" , as the main suffered extensive damage.

The leak also affected Royal Mail postal deliveries in Banbury.