A MAJOR road into Trowbridge has now re-opened following a chemical spillage near Trowbridge Rugby Club which today caused traffic chaos throughout the town centre and the surrounding suburbs.

The A361 was re-opened at 4pm after firefighters and Highways England worked urgently to clear up a chemical spillage from an articulated lorry.

The alkaline substance, thought to be caustic soda, leaked from a tank on the lorry onto the road, coating the area near the Paxcroft layby with a white film which could turn extremely slippery if it rains.

Police closed the major through route into Trowbridge for several hours while Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue firefighters dealt with the incident between the Leap Gate roundabout and Semington roundabout.

Around 20 firefighters attended the scene wearing protective suits, including a special operations support unit from Salisbury.

A heavy rescue unit from Trowbridge, as well as appliances from Bradford on Avon and Trowbridge, were also involved.

Station manager David Geddes said they had received a report at 11.25am that chemicals had leaked onto the A361.

He said: “We are hoping to clean it up in the next couple of hours, working with partners including Wiltshire Police and the Highways Agency.”

Mr Geddes said the area had been heavily sanded to soak up the fluid, which could cause the road to become very slippery when wet.

He added: “There is no risk to public health, however the substance where it has been spilt onto the road could create slippery road conditions.

“We would urged drivers to take extreme caution when passing through the area, especially in the wet.”

The spillage caused traffic chaos as drivers trying to get into Trowbridge were forced to divert onto other routes into the town centre.

One resident, who declined to be named, said: “It’s an absolute nightmare. Everywhere is blocked off and its causing traffic chaos. There are so many diversions.”

Mr Geddes said: “We apologise for the inconvenience. We are working as hard and as quickly as possible to resolve the situation and re-open the road as soon as possible.”

Police advised drivers to avoid the area for the remainder of the afternoon.