Fuel spill on A38 threatens spawning salmon

Update: The A38 has now reopened in both directions between Trerulefoot Roundabout in Trerulefoot and Carkeel Roundabout in Saltash. The road was closed after a fuel tanker overturned yesterday, spilling petrol onto the road. The tanker has now been removed from the scene, but the road is said to be badly damaged. Diversions around Tideford are in place and seem to be working well. 

Earlier: Police were called to reports of a broken down fuel tanker on the A38 at Menheniot at 4.30pm yesterday (13th December). It appears that the vehicle’s engine had blown.

While being towed away at around 6.55pm the tanker came away from the tow truck at the top of a steep dual carriageway between Tideford and Landrake.

The vehicle rolled down the hill, jackknifed and turned on its side, rupturing its skin and spilling unleaded petrol down the highway.

It is unknown how much fuel has been split but the tanker was fully laden with 38,000 litres. At least one fuel cell containing 7,000 litres was ruptured.

A major incident was declared and police, fire, highways and the Environment Agency attended the scene. The A38 was closed in both directions and a cordon put in place.

Only two houses were nearby but outside of the cordon so there was no need to evacuate any properties.

No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

Fuel specialists were called in overnight to pump the remaining fuel from the tanker. The vehicle is being extracted from the scene by crane this morning.

The top layer of tarmac will need to be removed by Highways to make the road safe for drivers. It is likely that the A38 will be closed until at least 4pm today.

Diversions are in place via Liskeard to Callington, with some cordons still being manned by police.

All services are working hard at the scene to enable the road to be opened as soon as it is safe to do so.

The Environment Agency has deployed booms on the river to contain any leaked fuel following the spill and an urgent race is on to protect spawning salmon in the River Tiddy in Cornwall.