Approximately 150 properties are without gas in Carlisle this evening (April 9) after water found its way into the local gas network, following a water main burst.

Affected streets include Valley Drive, Moorside Drive, Leywell Drive and Hunstsman Lane.

Engineers from Northern Gas Networks (NGN), the North of England’s gas distributor, are on site, pumping water from the gas network. Work will continue into late evening, and is expected to continue tomorrow (April 10).

Customer Care Officers have also been working in the neighbourhood, to identify any vulnerable customers and offer electric heaters and hotplates for cooking.

Richie Manuel, Business Operations Lead for Northern Gas Networks said: “Our apologies to our customers in Carlisle who are inconvenienced by loss of their gas supply.

“As there is water in the local gas network, we have had switch off supplies to local homes, for safety reasons.

“We are now working to pump out all traces of water, so that we can safely restore gas supplies. This is a  time-consuming process, but our engineers are on site and working hard.

“Our customer care team have also been going door-to-door, to identify any vulnerable customers, and offer any necessary support.”

Due to the current Covid-19 health crisis, NGN staff will be observing safe distancing guidelines, and will wear full PPE when it is necessary to enter customers’ homes.

Richie Manuel added: “Water ingress incidents such as this can be challenging at any time, but especially during the current health crisis. We are observing all the recommended health and safety guidelines to keep customers and colleagues safe, while we work to restore supplies.”

Local residents requiring more information can contact NGN’s Customer Care Team on 0800 040 7766 or email: customercare@northerngas.co.uk.

Regular updates will also be available on NGN’s website northerngasnetworks.co.uk, Twitter @NGNgas and Facebook @northerngasnetworks.

Anyone that smells gas or suspects carbon monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24-hours a day, seven days a week