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Borders town 'loses gas supply' Gas supply battle as cold bites
(30 minutes later)
About 3,000 properties in the Kelso area could be without gas supplies for several days. Engineers are battling to restore gas supplies to about 3,000 properties in the Kelso area.
A gas governor shut down at about 0730 GMT, resulting in homes to the north of the River Tweed and 70 properties in the village of Ednam losing supplies. The homes could be without gas supplies for several days.
Secondary and primary schools in the area have been closed because the buildings do not have any heating. A gas governor shut down on Monday, cutting supplies to homes to the north of the River Tweed and 70 houses in the village of Ednam.
Scotia Gas Networks have set up a drop-in centre at Kelso High. A helpline is available on 0845 070 1432. Secondary and primary schools have been closed and temperatures overnight dropped to -2C. A helpline is available on 0845 070 1432.
Scotia Gas Networks have set up a drop-in centre at Kelso High where the heating is fuelled by oil.
The high school centre, which will open at 0930 GMT on Tuesday, will supply hot soup to those affected.The high school centre, which will open at 0930 GMT on Tuesday, will supply hot soup to those affected.
Kelso High School, Broomlands Primary and Edenside Primary will remain closed to pupils on Tuesday.
A spokeswoman from Scotia Gas Networks said the exact cause of the fault was still under investigation, but that the priority was to get the supply connected again.A spokeswoman from Scotia Gas Networks said the exact cause of the fault was still under investigation, but that the priority was to get the supply connected again.
She was unable to say when this would happen but fears have been raised that it could take several days.She was unable to say when this would happen but fears have been raised that it could take several days.
'Cold snap''Cold snap'
Engineers will now have to visit every affected home to switch off the gas supply for safety reasons, before being able to turn the supply on again. Extra engineers have been drafted in who will have to visit every affected home to switch off the gas supply for safety reasons, before being able to turn the supply on again.
Berwickshire and Roxburgh MSP John Lamont said he had been contacted by a large number of people affected by the loss of supply.Berwickshire and Roxburgh MSP John Lamont said he had been contacted by a large number of people affected by the loss of supply.
"I am particularly concerned about the elderly and other vulnerable groups, particularly during the current cold snap," he said."I am particularly concerned about the elderly and other vulnerable groups, particularly during the current cold snap," he said.
"I have been in discussion with Scotia Gas Networks to ensure that adequate support is provided to those left stranded without any heating or cooking fuel."I have been in discussion with Scotia Gas Networks to ensure that adequate support is provided to those left stranded without any heating or cooking fuel.
"They have estimated that the gas could be off for up to three days, which is of serious concern during the coldest weather of the year so far.""They have estimated that the gas could be off for up to three days, which is of serious concern during the coldest weather of the year so far."
No-one from Scottish Borders Council was available for comment due to a belated St Andrew's Day holiday.