PART of Bournemouth town centre was closed to traffic after “a very large” diesel spill yesterday.

Bournemouth Council put down sand and grit for more than 200 metres.

Police shut down Poole Hill between Cambridge Road roundabout and The Triangle.

The diesel was washed downhill from the roundabout in the rain and cars had lost their grip.

A cyclist fell off their bike and injured their leg on the road.

Nigel Sellick, a Wilts and Dorset worker, said: “I saw quite a lot of cars slipping.”

A Dorset Police spokesman said they were called out at 1.16pm and the road reopened at 3.30pm.

John Knowles, 63, from Roger Moore Hail Salon on Poole Hill, said: “I don’t know where it came from, but there was diesel everywhere.”

The emergency services and council did not have details on the origin of the leak.

The leak also reached into Bourne Avenue, Tregonwell Road, and Gervis Place.

A Dorset Fire spokesman said: “We were called to a large diesel spill and sent an appliance from Westbourne.

“An unknown quantity entered the drains. Wessex Water closed down their pumping station.”

Emrah Acikgoz, from Olive cafe on Poole Hill, said: “I smelt the diesel when I went outside.

“The police had closed the roundabout and the council was starting to put sand down.”