MAJOR road closures are in force today after a car ploughed into a gas substation rupturing a mains pipe.

The busy A27 at Titchfield, near Fareham, was shut for three hours while gas engineers carry out emergency repairs.

Police said a 21-year-old man driving an Audi A4 westbound collided with the brick built substation at the junction with Ranvilles Lane about 5.20am.

The driver was unhurt but arrested by police on suspicion of drink driving.

He was this morning being held at Fareham police station.

Two houses next to the scene were evacuated. The residents were put up in a hotel.

The closure came just a day after the same road was shut for several hours after a driver crashed into the central reservation and then a telegraph pole at Titchfield Hill.

The road was yesterday closed to allow Southern Electric workmen to carry out repairs but was reopened at 11.20am