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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Gas battle continues in the cold | Gas battle continues in the cold |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Thousands of homes in Kelso have spent another night without heating as more than 100 gas engineers continue work to restore the service. | Thousands of homes in Kelso have spent another night without heating as more than 100 gas engineers continue work to restore the service. |
| A gas governor shut down on Monday as temperatures began dropping to levels as low as -3C overnight. | A gas governor shut down on Monday as temperatures began dropping to levels as low as -3C overnight. |
| Supplies have been restored to 1,300 of the 3,000 properties affected, with priority given to hospitals, care homes, sheltered housing and schools. | Supplies have been restored to 1,300 of the 3,000 properties affected, with priority given to hospitals, care homes, sheltered housing and schools. |
| The local MSP has called for Scotia Gas Networks to compensate those affected. | The local MSP has called for Scotia Gas Networks to compensate those affected. |
| John Lamont, Conservative MSP for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, said the gas cut has been particularly difficult for his constituents in Kelso. | John Lamont, Conservative MSP for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, said the gas cut has been particularly difficult for his constituents in Kelso. |
| He said: "I know that many people will face significantly higher electricity bills as a result of having to heat their homes using electric heaters. It is only right that these extra costs should be covered by the company responsible for this situation. | He said: "I know that many people will face significantly higher electricity bills as a result of having to heat their homes using electric heaters. It is only right that these extra costs should be covered by the company responsible for this situation. |
| "I have raised this matter with Scotia Gas Networks and also Ofgem. I hope to have a response soon." | "I have raised this matter with Scotia Gas Networks and also Ofgem. I hope to have a response soon." |
| A spokesman from Scotia Gas Networks said those affected would be compensated for some of the time they were left without gas. | |
| She said: "Householders will receive £30 compensation for each complete 24-hour period they are without gas, after the first 24 hours. This compensation is paid to them directly by their gas supplier following completion of the incident. | |
| "The name of the customer's gas supplier can be found at the top of their gas bill and there is no need for them to apply for compensation, as it is paid automatically." | |
| Vulnerable people | Vulnerable people |
| Scotia Gas Networks said the faulty gas installation which caused the loss of supplies had been repaired and engineers were working as fast as they could to reconnect homes. | |
| The company said it had also handed out electric heaters to vulnerable residents. | |
| A drop-in centre at Kelso High School remained open overnight for residents in need of a warm place to stay and hot food. | A drop-in centre at Kelso High School remained open overnight for residents in need of a warm place to stay and hot food. |
| NHS Borders and the council's social work department said they were staying in touch with elderly and vulnerable residents, and electric heaters would be available on-loan. | NHS Borders and the council's social work department said they were staying in touch with elderly and vulnerable residents, and electric heaters would be available on-loan. |
| Kelso High School and Edenside Primary remained closed, although pupils due to sit exams at the secondary school will be accommodated in part of the building which does have heating. | Kelso High School and Edenside Primary remained closed, although pupils due to sit exams at the secondary school will be accommodated in part of the building which does have heating. |
| Scottish Borders Council has taken the decision to keep the drop-in centre at Kelso High School open throughout the night for residents Scotia Gas Networks class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?id=3656">Kelso five day weather forecast | |
| Scottish Borders Council has been working closely with SGN and NHS Borders to protect vulnerable residents. | Scottish Borders Council has been working closely with SGN and NHS Borders to protect vulnerable residents. |
| It said contacts with the elderly and those with special healthcare needs would be maintained until supplies were restored. | It said contacts with the elderly and those with special healthcare needs would be maintained until supplies were restored. |
| General advice to householders without gas supply was to concentrate on keeping one room in the house warm using electric heaters. | General advice to householders without gas supply was to concentrate on keeping one room in the house warm using electric heaters. |
| Anyone requiring urgent assistance should phone SBC's Bordercare on 01896 752111. A helpline is also available on 0845 070 1432. | Anyone requiring urgent assistance should phone SBC's Bordercare on 01896 752111. A helpline is also available on 0845 070 1432. |
| Are you in the area? Have you lost your gas supply? | Are you in the area? Have you lost your gas supply? |
| Send your comments using the post form below, or text 61124. | Send your comments using the post form below, or text 61124. |
| In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |