Eurostar trains were temporarily stopped after a gas leak in Rainham today (Tuesday, December 20).

National Grid were called out to Lamson Road, in the Ferry Lane Industrial Estate, Rainham, after a company who was carrying out work on the road hit a gas main.

A spokesman for National Grid said they were called to make it safe at 12.30pm.

Police closed the surrounding roads and Rainham train station for 3.10pm. As a result Rainham train station was closed and the Fenchurch Street C2C and the Channel Tunnel rail link, which both pass through Rainham were delayed.

Eurostar services were suspended between Britain and France at about 2pm. Trains were held at Ashford and Ebbsfleet and services resumed 2.45pm.

John Pavling, watch manager for Wennington, said: “A mechanical digger was doing work on the road when it hit a valve. It caused the gas main to leak quite a bit, but it didn’t ignite.

“We set up a cordon of 100m and evacuated the buildings nearest to it.”

Firefighters were called from Rainham, Hornchurch and Dagenham, as well as a command unit from Barking.

Police confirmed they were called to the scene to assist at 12.30pm, and remained until the road was re-opened.