ENGINEERS spent 90 minutes fixing a major gas leak which closed the A2 in both directions.

The road has now re-opened nearly three hours after the closure at the A227 junction in Gravesend.

Channel Tunnel Rail Link services, which operate near the site, were also stopped.Traffic is still heavy on the A2.

A workman struck the gas main next to the Tollgate junction London-bound at around 4pm today.

The standpipe was damaged during excavation work being carried out for a new road scheme.

Drawings the contractor used to work from did not identify this particular gas main.

Engineers from Southern Gas Networks were called to the scene to repair the leak near the Tollgate Hotel.

No homes were evacuated.

Two crews from Thames-side Fire Station were called to the incident.

A spokesman from the station said firefighters were on stand-by in case the gas ignited.

Police were also in attendance.

The Highways Agency warned motorists to avoid using the A2 if possible because the major leak caused considerable delays, said a spokesman.

He said: "The contractor was working in accordance with their permit to dig and as soon as the leak occurred they informed Southern Gas and the police, who are currently in attendance and dealing with the incident."

A spokesman for Southern Gas Networks said: "We would like to apologise.

"We have tried to repair it as quickly as possible."

Kent Police advised motorists to use the M20 and M25 for travel towards London or north Kent, and to avoid the A2 between Gravesend East and Northfleet.