A major route through a Suffolk village is likely to stay shut until lunchtime tomorrow after a gas leak, engineers have said.

Gas workers from Cadent were sent to Hackney’s Corner in Great Blakenham – where Bramford Road, Gipping Road and Stowmarket Road meet – at around 12pm today to reports of a leak coming from a damaged gas main close by.

Suffolk Highways and police were called to assist with road closures, which were put in place shortly afterwards.

Bramford Road in Great Blakenham was closed completely shut between Gipping Road and Chapel Lane.

The closures are likely to stay in force until lunchtime tomorrow, according to a spokesman for the gas company, but engineers are working as quickly as possible to re-open the road.

“We are currently dealing with a gas escape in Bramford Road, Great Blakenham in Ipswich,” said Antony Quarrell, a spokesman for Cadent Gas.

“Bramford Road is currently closed at the junction of Gipping Road and Stowmarket Road as our engineers work to repair (the leak) as soon as possible.

“Gas supplies to the area are being maintained.”

No-one is believed to have been injured and there were no evacuations as a result of the leak.

Long tailbacks were created during this evening’s rush hour as a result of the closure.

Drivers, who were warned of delays by police, were diverted through Claydon and Needham Market.

Great Blakenham Parish Council bosses warned residents on social media and said: “There is a gas leak at Hackney’s Corner in Great Blakenham.

“Traffic is being diverted back towards Needham Market, best to avoid the area if at all possible.”

A police spokeswoman said: “Long delays are likely there this evening because of the closures that are in place.

“We were called at around 12pm today to reports of a gas leak and are aware that Bramford Road is closed in both directions between Gipping Road and Chapel Lane.

“Traffic is being diverted through Claydon and Needham Market but there is heavy traffic in the area.

“It looks as though engineers are on scene and they are repairing the leak.”

The closure is expected to remain in force overnight with engineers warning that damage to the gas main may take until midday tomorrow to fix.