The town centre’s one-way system is closed to traffic this morning due to a gas leak under the road surface.

It’s understood 50 people plus their pets, were moved out of a block of flats on the corner of Church Street and Dover Street, at 2.30am after it was reported to Kent police.

Residents were apparently woken from their slumber by officers sounding the fire alarm in the communal area. They are believed to be staying with friends and family while work to repair the pipe is carried out.

Firefighters assisted with the evacuation of the building and engineers from Southern Gas Networks were called. They remain at the scene.

Cockleshell Walk car park is closed and a full diversion is in place. It takes motorists travelling east bound along the London Road, up Borden Lane, Homewood Avenue, Ufton Lane, Gore Court Road, Bell Road and Crown Quay Lane then back onto St Michael’s Road.

West bound traffic is unaffected and can still can use the Station and Dover Street.