HYDRAULIC fluid leaking from a broken down HGV vehicle closed the A38 this afternoon (A38).

At one point emergency service crews were urging drivers to avoid the A38 between Exeter and Plymouth.

There were reports of heavy traffic along the road this afternoon due to thincident from A379 to A380 (Splatford Split).

A Fire Control spokesperson said: ‘Two fire appliances and the environmental protection unit attended a broken down HGV leaking hydraulic fluid.

‘Police and Highways were in attendance and had closed the road.

‘Crews worked with other agencies using absorbent pad kits and granules and assisted in the recovery of the vehicle.

‘Duty of care was left with Police and Highways.’

Via Twitter National Highways said at the time: ‘The A38westbound is closed between the A379 and B3344 near Kennford due to a diesel and hydraulic fluid spillage across the carriageway.’