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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Gas supply battle as cold bites | Gas supply battle as cold bites |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Engineers are battling to restore gas supplies to about 3,000 properties in the Kelso area. | Engineers are battling to restore gas supplies to about 3,000 properties in the Kelso area. |
| The homes could be without gas supplies for several days. | The homes could be without gas supplies for several days. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Secondary and primary schools have been closed and temperatures overnight dropped to -2C. 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. | Scotia Gas Networks have set up a drop-in centre at Kelso High where the heating is fuelled by oil. |
| Temporary cooking and heating facilities are being made available to those customers who are particularly vulnerable Scotia Gas Networks class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?id=3656">Kelso five day weather forecast 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. | 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. |
| The firm said: "Temporary cooking and heating facilities are being made available to those customers who are particularly vulnerable such as those who are elderly, chronically sick or disabled, have young children or other special needs." | The firm said: "Temporary cooking and heating facilities are being made available to those customers who are particularly vulnerable such as those who are elderly, chronically sick or disabled, have young children or other special needs." |
| 'Cold snap' | 'Cold snap' |
| 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. | 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." |