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Homes without gas for third night Gas restored after supply failure
(about 6 hours later)
Hundreds of homes in the Scottish Borders are facing a third night without gas as engineers work round the clock to restore their service. Gas supplies have been restored to homes in the Scottish Borders affected by a shutdown.
Most of the 3,000 premises around Kelso which lost supplies on Monday are due to be reconnected by late evening. Most of the 3,000 premises around Kelso which lost supplies on Monday have now been reconnected.
However, Scottish Borders Council estimated about 350 households would still be without gas. Scotia Gas Networks said a few homes and businesses where people had not been present to allow engineers access would be reconnected on Thursday.
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.More than 100 engineers have been working to restore the service after a gas governor shut down on Monday.
By 1600 GMT on Wednesday the council reported that supplies had been restored to about 2,000 of 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 600 would be reconnected during the day leaving about 350 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.
Householders will receive £30 compensation for each complete 24-hour period they are without gas, after the first 24 hours Scotia Gas Networks
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.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."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."
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.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."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."
Electric heaters have been handed out during the period without gas supplies and a drop-in centre operated at Kelso High School.Electric heaters have been handed out during the period without gas supplies and a drop-in centre operated at Kelso High School.
NHS Borders and the council's social work department said they would stay in touch with elderly and vulnerable residents until supplies were reconnected.
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 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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