25/06/2013

Chemical Spill Closes Part Of A1 Carriageway

A chemical spill caused by an accident involving two lorries closed part of the A1 in North Yorkshire on Monday.

North Yorkshire Police said the crash happened on the northbound carriageway at 4.00pm. The road was closed for more than four hours, but had reopened by 9.00pm.

As a result of the collision, one of the heavy good vehicles developed a small leak and a chemical called Proxel leaked on to the carriageway. Police worked with colleagues from the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Fire to stem the leak and clear the carriageway. The opposite carriageway was closed as a precaution while officers established the nature of the chemical.

People living within two miles (3.2km) of the spillage were advised to stay inside and close windows and doors.

The leak was stemmed around 6.15pm and work then began on clearing the road and recovering the vehicles.

A police spokesperson said: "The leaked chemical is a sodium hydroxide called Proxel and around 300 litres leaked from the lorry."

The remaining chemical liquid, around 500-700 litres, was transferred to another vehicle.

(JP/CD)

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