Trains running again after gas leak led to evacuation of shopping centre

Railway lines in and out of Inverness Station have reopened following a closure due to a gas leak from a freight train.

Gas distribution firm SGN said on social media its staff had stopped the leak at about 2.30pm.

The firm posted on X: “We’ve now fixed the leak to the affected tank carrying gas which supplies our network at #Inverness station.

“This has enabled the safe reopening of the station and nearby buildings. @ScotRail services can now resume.

“Thanks for your patience while we resolved this issue.”

Police Scotland said they were alerted to a “a gas leak from a train in Inverness” at about 10.25am.

They said: “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.”

ScotRail said ticket acceptance was put in place on Citylink buses between Inverness and Glasgow and Edinburgh, and on Stagecoach buses between the city and Wick, Thurso and Aberdeen, during the incident.

A spokesperson for Network Rail Scotland said on Tuesday afternoon: “Good news from Inverness. @SGNgas and @Scot_fire have stopped the gas leaking from the freight train in Inverness and all lines have reopened.

“We’re working with @ScotRail, @CalSleeper, @DRSgov.UK, @ColasRailUK and @GBRailfreight/@belmond to get trains moving again.”