Whitehall Road: Large area of Leeds city centre cordoned off due to reported issue with crane
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Buildings have been evacuated at Wellington Place and a large stretch of Whitehall Road has been cordoned off by police and fire crews. Those who have been evacuated have been told to keep back and it’s understood that there is an issue involving a crane at one of the nearby building sites.
In a statement, the force said: “Access to the area has been restricted for pedestrians and road closures put in place. A number of buildings in the area are also being evacuated as a precaution.
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“These closures are expected to be in place for some time and members of the public are advised to avoid the area and seek other routes. This is an ongoing incident and further updates will be provided in due course.”
Live updates as 'issue with crane' closes Wellington Place in Leeds
Statement from fire service
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called at 13.36 to reports of an unstable structure on Riverside Way in Leeds.
"Two crews from Leeds are in attendance dealing with the structure which is a large crane.
"The area has been cleared of people - access is restricted and road closures are in place."
LIVE REPORT
YEP reporter James Connolly is live at the police cordon on Wellington Place/Whitehall Road.
Statement from West Yorkshire Police
A spokesperson for the force said: "Police are at the scene following a report of an industrial incident involving a crane on Riverside Way, Leeds.
"It has been confirmed that there is no one on the crane.
"Access to the area has been restricted for pedestrians and road closures put in place. A number of buildings in the area are also being evacuated as a precaution.
"These closures are expected to be in place for some time and members of the public are advised to avoid the area and seek other routes.
"This is an ongoing incident and further updates will be provided in due course."
Cars being diverted
Traffic trying to leave Wellington Place is being diverted away from the incident.
Large police cordon on Wellington Place
There is a large police cordon on Wellington Place in Leeds city centre.
Yorkshire Evening Post reporter James Connolly is at the scene, and understands that the cordon has been put in place as a safety measure due to an issue with a crane.
West Yorkshire Police have been contacted for more information on this breaking incident.