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| National Grid v SW1V 4DB |
| Filed: 01.04.2007 |
| Editor |
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Anxiety and uncertainty has struck some residents of St George's Drive SW1, following a gas escape in February which has left them without gas and no clear idea of when gas can be restored.
Gas-News has been investigating.
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Gas escapes
It was February 28 2007 that the emergency service was summoned by a resident of Number 81 St George's Drive, following a smell of gas. Since that time a number of residents have been without gas, though repairs were completed by 10.00pm on the same day.
Gas escapes were located on two service pipes between the gas main and the houses. Properties initally affected were Numbers 81, 83 and 85 St George's Drive. Both affected pipes were capped.
These Georgian type houses were converted into apartments in the 1970's, forming seven apartments at each house. A gas riser is buried in the middle of each building, installed when the houses were converted; All ferrous materials, some inaccessible.
Anxieties
Some residents have confirmed that the emergency service left fan heaters and two-ring hobs for temporary use but one resident, Melissa Hulland, who has two young children, told Gas-News she was promised more but did not receive them. She has since bought two more heaters.
Melissa added "It's not nice seeing the kids shivering when you bath them. I had to put a heater in the bathroom, which is wrong I know."
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| Melissa also said "Nobody's been in to look at the pipes. I can't understand why they say they have to replace them when they haven't even looked. This is taking weeks, it's infuriating". |
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"It's not nice seeing the kids shivering when you bath them"
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| Resident - Melissa Hulland |
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Gas-News spoke to Mark Wiltsher, Head of Press Office at OFGEM, who confirmed that emergency services do have powers in the interests of public safety. Mr Wiltsher emailed a pdf file containing details, with the title Notice of Rights. He also contacted Energy-Watch and later confirmed they have a role in these issues.
Progress
Some residents of St George's Drive have formed an administrative company, St George's Court Ltd. The shareholders are all the leaseholders in numbers 83, 85, 87 and 89 St George's Drive. Glyn Hughes, head of the administrative company, has supplied Gas-News with his chronology of events. That diary clearly raises questions about the conduct of proceedings, since the gas was disconnected.
Gas-News later spoke to Carole Pitkeathley, Head of Regulatory Affairs at Energy-Watch, who confirmed that Energy-Watch do have a role in these matters and would arrange for someone to look into the situation at St George's Drive.
As our call was late on Friday, Carole will contact Gas-News on Monday with further information, which should help the situation to move forward.
Resident John Carroll, who first contacted Gas-News, has expressed grave concerns about the conduct of proceedings, citing confusing statements and contradictions in his efforts obtain answers to what he believes are basic questions. He told Gas-News, "If the story keeps changing, there's something wrong'.
The residents have already appointed lawyers with a view to obtaining an injunction requiring the gas to be restored, in the absence of further leaks, before talks resume. That has arisen because of the perceived failure of the emergency service to explain precisely what is preventing the gas supply being restored.
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"If the story keeps changing, there's something wrong" |
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The perception is that as the emergency service has powers, they do not feel the need to explain themselves. A view certainly not shared by Carole Pitkeathley, who has promised to arrange clarification of all regulatory matters affecting work of this type.
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| Resident - John Carroll |
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It is apparent from the images that some pipework, including internal pipework, is not in an healthy state. And as already confirmed, much of the same type of pipework is buried in the structure of the buildings.
Our concern, apparent from the outset, is the lack of readily available information which might have helped prevent the current deadlock in negotiations. People have a right to all available information, which might assist them to make informed decisions. The days when people sat back and accepted what they were spoon-fed have long since gone. It will certainly not happen in St George's Drive.
We would even suggest that in a challenging environment like St George's Drive, a suitably qualified and independent liaison officer should be appointed quickly, to help residents understand the nuances of the dilemma with a view to reaching a mutally useful conclusion.
Gas-News has not spoken with all affected residents and the total number may include people unaware of negotiations by the leaseholders mentioned.
The HSE has a huge and challenging programme for the replacement of ferrous pipes, which will extend well into the future. Surely it is not too much to expect a one-stop-shop online resource where people, including Registered Gas Installers, can access all available information, and help develop a useful dialogue betwen interested parties in the future.
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