Gas leak homes reconnected

Mar 11 2010 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

THE last homes in Armadale that had their gas supply cut due to a leak last week have been reconnected.

A dozen properties needed to be evacuated in the early hours of last Wednesday morning after a resident reported smelling gas in the area.

Police officers went from door to door to wake homeowners in Birkenshaw Way shortly after 2am as emergency repairs were carried out by engineers from Scotland Gas Networks (SGN).

Residents were offered accomodation at a nearby hotel, although only two of the 12 families affected took up the offer.

They were allowed to return to their homes on Wednesday evening. However, one of the four-in-a-block properties did not have the gas supply reconnected until Sunday as they had their service pipe upgraded.

Duncan MacDonald, a spokesman for SGN, said: “In the early hours of last Wednesday morning our emergency line got a call to say there was a smell of gas in Birkenshaw Way.

“Our staff moved quickly to identify where the gas was coming from and we made a temporary repair to the piping. There was no risk to life or property but as a safety precaution we decided to evacuate the 12 families closest to the location.

“All the properties apart from one were reconnected that day. In our investigations it was identified that this block needed their service pipe from the property to the main upgraded.

“We understand that people need gas for heating and cooking and while this work was carried out the residents were given electrical heating and electrical cooking facilities to use until they were reconnected on Sunday.

“Safety is our number one priority at all times and we were in touch with all of the affected households to let them know of the progress.”