Gas main leak ‘was left for two months’

A COUNCILLOR says it is “unbelievable” that it took two months for repairs to be carried out on a leaking gas main.

Coun Keith Moore, of East Riding Council, noticed the smell of gas as he drove by the roundabout on the A614, just off the M62 on November 11.

The former gas engineer reported the leak, close to the Meadows housing estate in Howden, to be told “an engineer would be there within the hour”.

He rang back later in the month – getting the same response but no action – and then contacted the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

After being contacted by The Yorkshire Post on Friday, Northern Gas Networks (NGN) said yesterday it was carrying out repairs to the medium-pressure pipe.

Coun Moore said the delay was “totally out of order” given his training and the gas blast in Paris at the weekend, which killed three people. He said: “It is just unbelievable that it has taken this long – bearing in mind that it is a volatile product and when you ring in the advice is to make sure you have no naked lights or a car running there.

“Prior to privatisation all leaks were worked on until they were located and made safe. It’s obvious that the only reason they are on it now is pressure from the media and HSE.”

Bob Hope, operations manager for NGN, said: “Customer safety is always our top priority, and the gas escape does not present a public safety risk. Our engineers will continue to monitor the escape until the repair work has been completed. We expect the repair to be completed and the road surface to be reinstated by the end of this week.”