Workers get to grips with spill (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Workers get to grips with spill

AN area of the town centre was cordoned off following an oil leak. Part of Havelock Square was declared out of bounds after one of the council's street sweeping vehicles began leaking hydraulic oil, forcing an urgent clean-up operation to swing into action.

To prevent any slip ups, council cleaners cordoned off the square and spread sand to soak up the spill.

Shoppers were unable to get to some stores because of the cordon.

Linda Cheather of Partners The Stationers, one of the stores affected, said: "The first we knew was when the barrier was put up. We were cut off for two hours. No one came and told us what was going on."

By 11am, the council had called in a steam cleaner and began to tackle the oil spill.

Dai Garland, Iceland store manager, said, "We would like to have been spoken to but give the council their due they have acted very quickly to sort it out."

Pedestrian Ben Beulah, 26, said: "It's an inconvenience, but accidents will happen and at least they have been quick to respond."

Paul Jones, a store assistant at Black's, admitted, "With tape everywhere, it's bound to affect business.

"But they did act quickly before trading began, and are doing all they can to fix the mess."

A council spokesman said: "We are sorry for the inconvenience to pedestrians and businesses in Havelock Square.

"One of our vehicles was sweeping the area at around 7.30am when it developed a leak, which left hydraulic fluid on the ground.

"Absorbent granules were immediately applied to the fluid to soak it up, and the area was cordoned off.

"Pedestrians still had access to the shops. After being treated with a chemical to neutralise the fluid, the area was washed and opened again at around midday."