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Gas battle continues in the cold Homes without gas for third night
(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. Hundreds of homes in the Scottish Borders are facing a third night without gas as engineers work round the clock to restore their service.
A gas governor shut down on Monday as temperatures began dropping to levels as low as -3C overnight. Most of the 3,000 premises around Kelso which lost supplies on Monday are due to be reconnected by late evening.
Supplies have been restored to 1,300 of the 3,000 properties affected, with priority given to hospitals, care homes, sheltered housing and schools. However, Scottish Borders Council estimated about 700 households would still be without gas.
Temperatures in the area are expected to drop to -2C overnight with sleet showers forecast for Thursday.
More than 100 engineers have been working to restore the service after a gas governor shut down on Monday.
By 1200 GMT on Wednesday the council reported that supplies had been restored to about half the properties affected.
Householders will receive £30 compensation for each complete 24-hour period they are without gas, after the first 24 hours Scotia Gas Networks Kelso five day weather forecast
It was anticipated a further 800 would be reconnected during the day leaving about 700 to face a third night without supplies.
Services had returned to normal at Kelso Hospital and health centre, Kelso High School and Edenside Primary.
Priority has been given to the vulnerable and elderly but the most recent works have concentrated on town centre properties.
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.
"I have raised this matter with Scotia Gas Networks and also Ofgem. I hope to have a response soon." "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."
Paid automatically
A spokesman from Scotia Gas Networks said those affected would be compensated for some of the time they were left without gas.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. 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.""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 Electric heaters have been handed out during the period without gas supplies and a drop-in centre operated at Kelso High School.
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. NHS Borders and the council's social work department said they would stay in touch with elderly and vulnerable residents until supplies were reconnected.
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.
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.
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 Kelso five day weather forecast
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.
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 Borders Council'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?
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