Police have closed a road into Liss as a live overhead power cable has been partially brought down by gale force winds.

Motorists have been encouraged to avoid Liss Forest for the meantime as Forest Road is closed between the Pine Walk and Sherwood Close junctions.

A cable carrying more than 200 amps of power has been left dangling precariously over the road. No power cuts have been reported but SSE engineers have been called and police are in attendance.

PP Liss Forest Road Closure PIC2.jpg
The lowered cable can be seen in the middle centre of this picture. (Iliffe Media/Paul Ferguson)

Affected residents have been directing traffic on the road, often used as a rat-run during rush hour by southbound motorists looking to avoid queues at the A3 Ham Barn junction.

The alarm was raised around 3.30pm by an Adson Construction worker who lives in the area, amid concerns about the 38 Alton to Cowplain service – largely used by students – not being able to get through.

The closure remains in place at 4.30pm, with more disruption around the area likely as the region feels the brunt of Storm Austen.