A site near to Whipps Cross Hospital has been declared safe following an earlier investigation. 

Four fire engines were called to a construction site on James Lane, Leytonstone, just before 11am today following reports of a chemical leak. 

Construction workers alerted the fire service after they uncovered several cannisters of old chemical waste, all of which have now been disposed of. 

The area was declared safe and crews handed the site back to the owners around 1:30pm.

For three hours, buses W12 and W15 were on diversion as James Lane was shut in both directions between Whipps Cross Road and Peterborough Road. 

Traffic is back to normal.