Incident Updates

Wednesday 17 September 4pm

Loss of gas supply in Knavesmire Crescent and Curzon Terrace, York

A number of properties in the Knavesmire Crescent and Curzon Terrace area of York have been without gas since yesterday following an incident of damage on the gas mains network.

Northern Gas Networks would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank those affected for their patience and co-operation in restoring the gas supplies.

The situation appears to be the result of third party damage to a gas pipe in York which has allowed water to enter the gas mains system.

United Utilities operate Yorkshire’s gas emergency service on behalf of Northern Gas Networks and their engineers are working hard to rectify the problem.

They have now repaired the pipe and are in the process of removing the many hundreds of gallons of water from the system. We are very hopeful that we can get gas back into the pipes and start reconnecting people today.

However there is some important information that affected residents need to know as there are important safety matters to consider where water has entered the gas mains.

If no water has entered your gas meter or internal pipework:
One of our engineers will be able to restore your supply for you. However he firstly needs access to your property to purge and re-light your system. This is vital for safety reasons. Please check the identity of anyone who requests entry to your home and take care of elderly or vulnerable neighbours.

If there is water in your meter or internal pipework:
Do not take any action until you have been advised to do so by one of our engineers. They will either talk to you direct or, if you are not at home, leave a card through your letterbox. United Utilities is not able to work on meter equipment or your own pipework. There are two things you need to do:

1. For meter problems, you must call your gas supply company and tell them you have a faulty meter as a result of water ingress damage. You can find their name at the top of your gas bill. There is no charge for this service.

2. For water in your internal system that affects gas appliances. You must contact Yorkshire Water call centre 0845 1242424 which operates 24 hours. They will arrange for a local CORGI registered engineer to call resolve the issue for you at no cost. If you do not follow this process and make separate arrangements a charge will be incurred and this will have to be claimed back by contacting Yorkshire Water.

For further information about any of the points raised in this letter please contact the United Utilities customer service team on 0191 511 6940. To assist this number will operate 24 hours for duration of the incident.

Gas Supply problem in Port Clarence
PR Statement 2 - 3rd September 8am

The work to restore gas supplies in the Port Clarence area of Middlesbrough is coming to an end.

The incident began at around midday yesterday, Tuesday, 2nd September, when supplies were interrupted to an estimated 350 homes and businesses.

Before supplies could be restored, engineers had to visit every property to turn off the gas meters before they could begin to restore gas into the pipeline system.

By midnight last night engineers had identified that a total of 278 properties had been affected. Three were commercial users while the remainder were domestic premises.

By midnight, supplies had been fully restored to 194 domestic users and one commercial property. There was no access to the remaining properties as the majority of occupants had gone to bed..
Engineers are returning to the area early this morning to restore their supplies.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

Northern Gas Networks apologises to anyone who has been inconvenienced over the last few hours.

"Incidents such as these happen very rarely but when they do it is important that we gather the appropriate resources and manpower to restore the situation to normal as quickly as possible," said John O'Grady, Northern Gas Networks' Director of Communications.

"I would like to reassure the people affected in the Port Clarence area that the pipeline system is now working perfectly normally and the area is completely safe."

PR1 2nd September 2pm

Gas supplies to around 350 homes and businesses have been disrupted in the Port Clarence area of Middlesbrough.
The problem started around noon today, Tuesday, 2nd September.
Engineers are currently turning off the gas supplies at the affected properties before they can begin to get the gas flowing normally again.
The affected area is in the Port Clarence Road area of Middlesbrough., in the post code area TS2.
The cause of the incident is under investigation.
People in the affected area are asked to be good neighbours and look out for the elderly, sick and infirm.
We cannot yet give a firm indication of when supplies will be restored to normal.

John O'Grady, Communications Director with Northern Gas Networks, apologised for the inconvenience and said engineers were being drafted into the area from around the region to get the restoration work underway as quickly as possible.
 

Gas Supply problem in Batley, WF17
9.30am on Tuesday February 26, 2008

Final update

Engineers have now re-connected all gas consumers affected by the incident in Healey, Batley, except a small number of homes where they could not get access.

All homes have been visited at least once, some up to five times. All have been left a card explaining how to contact us to get their supply restored.

If you return home to find your gas is not re-connected please contact us immediately using the number on the card and we will send an engineer. Remember we need to carry out important safety checks before we can restore your supply.

We ask people to check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours to ensure their supplies are back to normal.

Engineers remain in the area today (Tuesday February 26), removing the remnants of the water which flooded the main on Thursday. Homes in 37 streets around Healey Lane were affected.

Almost 900 gallons of water have been removed in total.

Northern Gas Networks and United Utilities would like to thank people in Healey for their patience during the recent incident, which appears to have been caused by a burst water main.

Everyone affected by this emergency will be entitled to compensation for the unplanned loss of their gas supply. You do not need to do anything to claim. We will contact you by letter when your gas has been restored to explain the process and tell you how much you will be receiving.

Our customer service team is available during office hours to answer your calls on 0191 501 4333 or 0191 501 4370. Please be patient as lines may be busy.

There will be no further updates on this incident.

5pm on Monday February 25, 2008

Northern Gas Networks apologises for the continuing problems with gas supplies in part of the Healey area of Batley. We are working hard to return your homes to normal.

Supplies to 511 homes and businesses affected have now been reconnected. We are expecting this figure to go up significantly during this evening as people return home from work. We need to get into every property to carry out essential safety checks.

Engineers will work until late into the night restoring the remaining properties as quickly as possible.

In total 909 properties were affected by this incident, in which water flooded the gas mains system on Thursday, 21 February.

We have now removed more than 850 gallons of water from our gas pipes. This work is continuing.

People may return home to find a card saying that an engineer has already called. We urge people to contact us using the number on the card to let us know they are home. Then the engineer will return to carry out the required work.

Important safety information
Do NOT attempt to re-connect your gas supply yourself. There are important safety checks we must carry out first. An engineer will visit you personally. Always ask for proof of identity of anyone who asks for access into your home. All our engineers carry identity cards.

Everyone affected by this emergency will be entitled to compensation for the unplanned loss of their gas supply. You do not need to do anything to claim. We will contact you by letter once the incident has ended to explain the process and tell you how much you will be receiving.

Our customer service team is available during office hours to answer your calls on 0191 501 4333 or 0191 501 4370. Please be patient as lines may be busy.

We will keep this website updated until the incident has ended. Please print this and share it with people who may not have Internet access.

10am on Monday February 25, 2008

Engineers have started to re-connect gas supplies to homes and businesses affected by the supply incident in the Healey area of Batley.

Supplies to around 250 of the original 909 affected properties were restored yesterday (Sunday February 24).

Engineers started visiting the remaining homes this morning and hope to get the majority of people re-connected today.

As you know, the problem was caused by water, which entered the gas pipes. We have removed around 800 gallons of water from your gas mains system since then. This work is continuing today.

Important safety information
Do NOT attempt to re-connect your gas supply yourself. There are important checks we must carry out first. An engineer will visit you personally. Always ask for proof of identity of anyone who asks for access into your home. All our engineers carry identity cards.

Kirklees Council has provided some of its own gas engineers to speed up the restoration process. The welfare centre at Healey Community Centre in West Park Road, WF17 7EL, is also open throughout the day (9am until 5pm) for those people who are still without gas.

Thank you for your patience at this difficult time. Our engineers are working hard to return your gas supplies to normal.

Everyone affected by this emergency will be entitled to compensation for the unplanned loss of their gas supply. You do not need to do anything to claim. We will contact you shortly by letter to explain the process and tell you how much you will be receiving.

Our customer service team is available during office hours to answer your calls on 0191 501 4333 or 0191 501 4370. Please be patient as lines may be busy.

5.30pm on Sunday February 24, 2008

Engineers have now begun restoring gas supplies to homes and businesses affected by the supply incident in the Healey area of Batley.

Re-connections are starting at the eastern end of the affected area – from Hillcrest Avenue and Trafalgar Street – and will work towards the west.

We will work as late as possible tonight (Sunday February 24), but it will not be possible to reconnect all of the affected properties this evening. The remaining properties will be reconnected as soon as possible in a phased and carefully-planned way starting early tomorrow morning (Monday February 25).

In all, just over 900 homes and businesses were left without gas after a burst water pipe apparently flooded the gas main at around 4pm on Thursday February 21.

Since then, Northern Gas Networks and our operating company United Utilities have launched a full-scale emergency. After visiting every single property to ensure their meter was safely turned off, engineers have removed more than 800 gallons of water from the gas mains system.

Water extraction is still continuing, however the situation is stable enough to begin restoring supplies.

Important safety information

Do NOT attempt to re-connect your gas supply yourself. There are important safety checks we must carry out first.

Always ask for proof of identity of anyone who asks for access into your home. All our engineers carry identity cards.

Thanks to Kirklees Council who have loaned us the use of their gas fitters to speed up the process of re-connection. The council will operate its welfare centre at Healey Community Centre in West Park Road, WF17 7EL , tomorrow (Monday February 25) for those people who are still without gas. It will be open from 9am until 5pm. There are still some fan heaters and hot plates available.

Northern Gas Networks is sorry for the inconvenience. We have been responding to an emergency situation and our engineers are working round the clock to restore your supplies as quickly as possible.

Please monitor this website for further updates. Our customer service team is available to answer your calls on 0191 501 4333 or 0191 501 4370 (office hours).

10pm on Saturday February 23, 2008

There are just over 900 homes and businesses currently without gas supplies in Healey, Batley.

Unfortunately we do not expect any of them to be re-connected by the end of today (Saturday February 23).

The incident started at 4pm on Thursday (February 21) when water entered the gas main system from a burst water main.

Gas engineers need to remove all water from the gas main system in Healey before it is safe to start restoring supplies.

Since 3pm, engineers have removed a total of 3,000 litres (660 gallons) of water from the gas mains. However there is still a substantial amount of water moving around the system, making it unsafe to re-connect any properties to gas.

We will remain on site until as late as possible tonight preparing pipelines to extract the remaining water tomorrow.

We apologise to local people for the continued loss of their gas supply. We assure you that we are doing everything in our power to rectify the situation but we cannot take chances with your safety.

Northern Gas Networks has invoked its emergency procedures to respond to this problem and is working closely with Kirklees Council and other agencies to support you.

A further written update will be delivered to all affected properties tomorrow (Sunday February 24). People can also get warmth, hot drinks and information from Kirklees Council’s welfare centre at Healey Community Centre in West Park Road, WF17 7EL . It will be open from 10am until 5pm. There are still some fan heaters and hot plates available.

Take care not to overload the local electricity system by operating too many electrical appliances at once. Try not to use high-energy appliances like washing machines, dishwashers and power showers at peak times such as breakfast time, lunchtime and in the evening. Also, unplug at the socket any electrical equipment you are not using, such as phone chargers and TVs and games consoles which are left on standby.

Monitor this website for further updates. Our customer service team is available to answer your calls between 8am and 4pm tomorrow (Sunday February 24) on 0191 501 4333 or 0191 501 4370.

4.30pm on Saturday February 23, 2008

There are just over 900 homes and businesses affected by the loss of gas supplies in Healey, Batley.

This follows an incident at 4pm on Thursday (February 21), where water got into the gas main system. It appears to have been caused by a burst water main.

Northern Gas Networks has invoked its emergency procedures to respond to this problem and is working closely with Kirklees Council and other agencies to support the local community and restore supplies to normal as soon as possible.

Gas engineers have now visited every property to safely disconnect the gas supplies. This was a lengthy procedure but essential to ensure people’s continued safety.

At 3pm, we started removing water from the mains system. There are at least five known points where water has gathered. A total of 400 litres of water (90 gallons) was removed from the first point. It is expected to take several hours to remove the water. However, at this stage we are hopeful of being able to restore some supplies tonight.

We have devised a phased programme of gas supply restoration which is based on restoring the maximum amount of supplies in the shortest possible time. At this stage we cannot say exactly when all supplies will return to normal. It is possible that the situation may run into next week. However our engineers will be working constantly until it is brought to a close.

Kirklees Council’s welfare centre at Healey Community Centre in West Park Road, WF17 7EL will be open again tomorrow (Sunday, February 24) from 10am until 5pm. Local people are encouraged to visit the centre for hot drinks, warmth and information. There is also a supply of fan heaters and hot plates. We are prioritising the distribution of these to vulnerable customers first.

The additional use of electrical appliances is increasing the demand on the local electricity supply system. Please try to stagger the use of electrical equipment to avoid peak times such as early morning, lunch time and evening to prevent power cuts. Also, unplug at the socket any electrical equipment you are not using, such as phone chargers and TVs and games consoles which are left on standby.

Northern Gas Networks is working hard to restore your gas supplies. We understand your frustration at having no gas supply and are doing everything possible to restore it.

Please monitor this website for further updates. Our customer service team is available to answer your calls between 8am and 4pm tomorrow (Sunday February 24) on 0191 501 4333 or 0191 501 4370.

19.30 Friday February 22, 2008

We now estimate that around 1,000 homes are without a gas supply in the Healey Lane area of Batley. This is because water has got into the gas main system. It appears to have been caused by a burst water main. Gas engineers have been working in the area since the incident happened at 4pm on Thursday, 21st February. We now have more than 50 engineers on site managing the situation, visiting homes and preparing for the task of siphoning the water out of the main.

It is essential that gas engineers get access to all homes to switch off the supplies before they can start removing the water. This is a long job but there are no short cuts. This is an essential safety measure. Always check the identity of anyone who asks for access to your home. All our engineers carry identity cards.

At this stage we cannot say exactly when all supplies will return to normal. We hope to be able to switch some customers back on tomorrow. However our engineers will remain on site until everyone is back on gas. All affected streets are in the postcode area WF17.

Kirklees Council has established a welfare centre at Healey Community Centre in West Park Road, WF17 7EL . This will be open until 8pm tonight (Friday 22nd February) and tomorrow (Saturday 23rd) between the hours of 10.00am and 5pm and is providing hot drinks, warmth and information for local people.

Northern Gas Networks has a supply of fan heaters and hot plates available for people who need them. If you need one, or know of an elderly or vulnerable neighbour who you think requires help, please let us know. Our Customer Service numbers for this incident are 0191 501 4333 or 0191 501 4370.
Remember, always check the identity of anyone who wants access to your home.

08.30 Friday 22nd February, 2008

Around 400 homes are without a gas supply in the Batley area.
This appears to have been caused as a result of a broken water main.

Gas Engineers began to respond to emergency calls from 4pm on Thursday, 21st February.

Once Yorkshire Water have completed their repair works the gas engineers can begin to remove the water from the gas main. In the meantime our engineers will visit every affected home to switch off the gas supply. This is an essential safety measure. Only when this has been carried out can we begin to restore gas supplies to homes and businesses.

There are 20 streets affected, which are as listed below, in postcode area WF17.

Those gas users with special needs are being supported with the provision of temporary electric heating and cooking facilities.

Other users who also have special needs should contact the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.

• Gordale Close
• Arncliffe Gardens
• Healey Lane
• Burnsall Avenue
• Hayburn Gardens
• Arncliffe Road
• Malham Drive
• Barden Close
• Uppercroft Road
• Burley Walk
• West Park Terrace
• Woodhall Drive
• Burnsall Road
• Colbeck Avenue
• Hayburn Road
• Hillcrest Avenue
• Hollyoak Avenue
• Linton Avenue
• Throttlenest
• Towngate Road

Monday January 14, 2008
Gas explosion in Huddersfield
Our engineers were called to a report of a suspected gas explosion at 54 Park Road West, Crossland Moor, Huddersfield, at 3.50pm on Sunday, 14 January, 2008.

There was substantial damage to the property. The gas supply has been cut off and the area made safe.

Following extensive checks, it has been established that Northern Gas Networks’ gas mains and service pipes were not linked to the incident. Our engineers have left site and the investigation will now be in the hands of the Health and Safety Executive.

3.15pm, Friday January 11, 2008
Update 2
The gas main which was damaged by third party contractors at 12.15pm today in Vicarage St North in Wakefield was safely capped by our engineers just before 3pm. There is no more escaping gas and the smell is already beginning to subside. There were no evacuations or losses of supply. The gas dispersed harmlessly into the air but the smell lingered because there was not much wind this afternoon. The strong smell prompted more than 50 calls to the gas emergency number. Emergency engineers will remain in Wakefield until every caller has been visited.

1pm, Friday January 11, 2008
Update 1
Our emergency gas engineers have been called to a damaged gas main in Vicarage Street North which is causing a strong smell of gas in the centre of Wakefield. The incident happened at about 12.15pm today. Engineers are now on site making the situation safe. Other engineers are also in Wakefield responding to emergency calls about the smell. If anyone has any concerns about a smell of gas in the Wakefield centre area they must continue to call the gas emergency number 0800 111 999. This is a free, 24 hour number. We will respond to all calls and make sure the situation is safe. There is no charge for our service. 

4pm, Thursday April 19
Update 3
United Utilities engineers have worked continuously since the damage to the gas main in Pelton Fell on Tuesday night, which caused the loss of supplies to around 250 homes. The supply loss was due to water which got into the broken main.

United Utilities engineers have worked continuously since the damage to the gas main in Pelton Fell on Tuesday night, which caused the loss of supplies to around 250 homes. The supply loss was due to water which got into the broken main.

Significant amounts of water have now been removed from the system and engineers will begin the process of restoring gas to individual properties from about 4pm. Although parts of the system are still affected by water, we are hopeful that the majority of affected households will be back on gas today.

Thu April 19, 12pm
Update 2
United Utilities engineers are still trying to restore gas to around 250 homes in the Whitehills area of Pelton Fell. This incident appears to have been caused by a third party contractor who damaged a gas and a water main in the area at approximately 4.30pm on Tuesday April 17.

Please click here for letter to residents

Wed April 18, 10am
Update 1
United Utilities engineers are currently trying to restore gas to around 250 homes in the Whitehills Estate area of Pelton Fell, near Chester-le-Street, Co Durham.

United Utilities operates the gas emergency service in the North East on behalf of Northern Gas Networks.

The incident follows damage to a gas main and a water main which appears to have been caused by contractors working on a nearby building site. A substantial amount of water seems to have entered the gas main system which has caused the loss of supply.

Although the water main has now been repaired by Northumbrian Water it will be sometime before United Utilities can remove all the water from the gas main and restore gas to properties.

The damage occurred at approximately 4.30pm yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon at the former Whitehills Estate, DH2 2AH, and affects a 125mm polyethylene gas main.

Homes in the following streets are currently without gas:

• Shelley Gardens
• Tennyson Road
• Shakespeare Terrace
• Milton Terrace
• Byron Avenue
• Wordsworth Avenue
• Coleridge Place
• Ruskin Avenue
• Henley Avenue

Gas cannot be restored until all water has been removed from the mains system, which is expected to take most of today. Temporary alternative heating and cooking equipment is available for vulnerable customers.

12.04.07 - 6pm
Gas leak in Camden St, Newcastle, NE2
Statement 4
United Utilities engineers, working on behalf of Northern Gas Networks, are continuing to work on the gas main near Camden Street, Newcastle, which was damaged by building contractors yesterday.

Gas levels have now subsided and the fifty students from the residential block have been given the all clear to return to their digs.

Although gas continues to leak, it is dispersing harmlessly into the air. Engineers are now in possession of special equipment, brought down from Scotland, which they will use to identify and then isolate the affected section of pipe to stop the leak. They have worked tirelessly since this incident began and work will continue round-the-clock on site until the gas leak is stopped. It is not possible to say exactly when this will happen but the picture will be clearer tomorrow morning. Until then we will constantly monitor gas levels to ensure public safety.

Once the leak is stopped, the process of permanently repairing the affected main can begin.

We would like to thank people in Newcastle for their understanding and patience.

12.04.07 - 3pm
Gas leak in Camden St, Newcastle, NE2
Statement 3
United utilities gas engineers continue to work in camden street following a gas leak which started yesterday.

It is safe for the fifty students evacuated from their housing block to return home.

United utilities gas engineers continue to work to find the exact position of the leak before they can carry out a full repair.

12.04.07 - 7am
Gas leak in Camden St, Newcastle, NE2
Statement 2
Engineers have worked through the night at Camden Street following the gas leak which started at about 4.15pm yesterday. It is thought building contractors working on that site may have damaged one of our mains accidentally.

Although we have the situation under control, as yet we have still not located the leak despite digging until 3am this morning. Emergency engineers monitored the situation through the night and digging will recommence at 8am.

We are working as fast as we can to rectify this situation. Engineers are working in difficult conditions. The mains in the area are 3.5m (15ft) below ground and trenches are filling with water as we dig which we are pumping out as we go.

The gas is dispersing into the air so local people should not be alarmed. As a precaution we have taken a decision with local emergency services to keep a number of small local roads closed as a precaution until further notice. The 200 people from the student accommodation block will also remain evacuated for the same reason.

We apologise for this inconvenience. Unfortunately this is a situation which can’t be rushed.

11.04.07 - 8.30pm
Gas leak in Camden St, Newcastle, NE2
Statement 1
Engineers were called to a building site at Camden Street, Shieldfield, Newcastle, NE2, at around 4.15pm. Third party contractors appear to have damaged a gas main during piling works.

Due to the volumes of gas escaping, engineers liaised closely with police and other emergency services to close Camden Street and have evacuated 200 people from nearby Glenamara House, a student accommodation block, as a precaution. These people are now being cared for at Sandyford TA centre until further notice.

Engineers are currently digging down to expose the fractured main before work can start on a repair. It is unclear exactly how long this will take as the hole is around 15ft (3.5m deep).

The situation is under control and engineers will remain on site until the situation is made totally safe. Until that time the evacuation will remain in place. It is not anticipated that the incident will result in the evacuation of any more properties at this time.

18.02.07 - 7pm
Loss of gas to Crook, Co Durham
Statement 12
Northern Gas Networks has announced the end of the gas supply emergency affecting the Crook area of County Durham.

Of the 6,500 homes and businesses which lost their supply last Monday a total of 6,428 had their gas supply restored by 6pm today, Sunday 18th February.

Of the remainder, we could not gain access to 61 properties and their gas supply has been safely disconnected. All have been left a card asking that when the occupants return they contact our contractors who will speedily reconnect the supply. Planned appointments have been made to reconnect a further 11 homes on Monday, 18 February.

Northern Gas Networks would like to thank the people of Crook and the surrounding communities for their patience and understanding over the last few days, in trying and demanding circumstances.

When the emergency began, on Monday, 12 February, Northern Gas Networks predicted it would take around a week for every affected home and business to have its supply restored. There were vital safety procedures to follow; there were no shortcuts or risks which could be taken.

A total of 120 engineers worked at the front-end of the operation to restore supplies, supplemented by around 30 additional engineers and crucial support staff working at the Civic Centre in Crook and the incident control room in Sunderland. All worked tirelessly, some around the clock, to plan the safe, phased and coordinated restoration of supplies. Their professionalism and dedication, allied to the community spirit and patience demonstrated by the local people, ensured the emergency was ended without mishap.

Northern Gas Networks would like to thank all those community groups and organisations, especially Wear Valley District Council and Durham County Council, for their invaluable support.

Northern Gas Networks and its contractors will now review the activities of the past few days, and arrange for appropriate compensation payments to be made as soon as possible.

16.02.07 - 10pm
Loss of gas to Crook, Co Durham
Statement 11 
We have now restored gas supplies to 3500 businesses in Crook and surrounding villages.  We expect to make substantial progress this evening.

Engineers will work until late tonight and be back again on Saturday and Sunday to reconnect outstanding properties

We urge people to ensure they are at home when engineers call. If they must go out, please consider leaving their keys or contact details with a neighbour.

They should not attempt to turn their gas supplies back on themselves. This is potentially very dangerous. Leave it to our expert engineers.

All our engineers carry identity cards.

16.02.07 - 10am
Loss of gas to Crook, Co Durham
Statement 10
We have now restored gas supplies to a definite 3,030 homes and businesses in Crook and surrounding villages.

Engineers are now ready to start restoring supplies to northern part of the town from midday on Friday, which is the last remaining area affected.

We urge people to ensure they are at home when engineers call. If they must go out, please consider leaving their keys or contact details with a neighbour.

They should not attempt to turn their gas supplies back on themselves. This is potentially very dangerous. Leave it to our expert engineers.

All our engineers carry identity cards.

Further updates will be available throughout Friday.

15.02.07 - 2pm
Loss of gas supplies to Crook and Willington, Co Durham
Statement 9
We now have 1800 homes back on gas.  These are mostly in the outlaying villages around Crook.

As well as continuing to work in the villages, engineers are today concentrating on restoring supplies in South Crook and Helmington Row (between Crook and Willington)

They are also currently working in the Thistleflat estate before they move into the Watergate estate.

We hope to make good progress in getting gas back to homes across South Crook by tonight.

Engineers worked until midnight last night (Wednesday) and again today we have around 120 engineers on site. They all carry identification cards.

While safety remains our main concern, the task of getting everybody back onto gas cannot be rushed.

Our engineers are working as quickly as they can to return gas supplies, however some people’s supplies may not be restored until early next week. We apologise for this.

We continue to work closely with Wear Valley District Council and other social care agencies to distribute alternative heating and cooking equipment. Thousands of fan heaters have already been given out. To preserve remaining stocks of this equipment we will only give these out to people who demonstrate a clear need. We ask for co-operation in this. If you or anyone you know has a real need please contact: 0191 501 4310/4308/4262. Out of hours call 0870 700 0150.

To ease the demand on the local electricity system we are also asking people to be careful in the use of electrical appliances. Please turn off as many appliances as you can (eg dishwashers and washing machines) during peak times such as breakfast and teatime.

14.02.07 - 11pm
Loss of gas supplies to Crook and Willington, Co Durham
Statement 8
United Utilities runs the gas mains network in the North East on behalf of Northern Gas Networks.

Around 120 engineers working for Northern Gas Networks worked late into the night (Feb 14) and by 11pm had restored gas to around 1,340 properties in the Sunnybrow, Hunwick, Roddymoor and Howden-le-Wear areas.

At 8am today (Thursday) engineers returned to continue working in these areas. We expect to start restoring supplies to Stanley Crook and Billy Mill during the day.

People should not under any circumstances attempt to switch their own gas supply back on.

For engineering reasons, we are restoring supplies to outlying communities before we start work in Crook. We will move into Crook as soon as possible.

It is absolutely critical that we get access to all homes. We urge people to make sure they are at home when our engineers call. If they have to go out please consider leaving a key or contact details with a neighbour.

Remember to ask for identification when anyone you don’t know calls at your home.

Safety remains our principal concern. The task of getting everybody back onto gas cannot be rushed. Our engineers are working as hard as they can to return gas supplies quickly. However some people’s supplies may not be restored until early next week. We apologise for this.

We continue to work closely with Wear Valley District Council and other social care agencies to distribute alternative heating and cooking equipment. To preserve remaining stores of this equipment we will only give these out to people who demonstrate a clear need. We ask for co-operation in this. If you or anyone you know has a real need please contact: 0191 501 4310/4308/4262.

To ease the demand on the local electricity system we are also asking people to be careful in the use of electrical appliances. Please turn off as many appliances as you can (eg dishwashers and washing machines) during peak times such as breakfast and teatime.

14.02.07 - 5pm
Loss of gas supplies to Crook and Willington, Co Durham 
Statement 7
Gas engineers today began restoring gas supplies to homes in the Crook area.

Earlier today Crook and the surrounding areas were divided into eight zones as engineers began a phased restoration of supplies.

The first residents to be back on were in Greenbank at Howden Le Wear. Gas was also restored to small numbers of homes in other villages throughout the afternoon. We are expecting to put a “significant number” of homes back on gas by close of play tonight.

Engineers are concentrating on reconnecting the outlaying villages before restoring Crook itself. It may take up to one week to get everyone back on.

Safety is the number one priority and the task of getting every member of staff.