National Grid engineers have now restored gas supplies to over 1000 properties in East Barnet, and around 500 homes require reconnecting, as work continues around the clock to pump water out of the local gas network.

Harry Buchanan, National Grid incident controller, said: “We have all the resources we require to get everybody’s gas supplies back on in time for Christmas and our engineers are visiting properties across the area.

“The real challenge continues to be getting the remaining water out of the system. We are hopeful that with the rise in temperatures today frozen water within the pipes will not present the problems it did earlier. However remaining water continues to move around the system and this is what is hampering the reconnection process.

“We are working very hard to get the water out of the system. Our target continues to be getting everyone’s gas back on in time for Christmas and we will do everything we can to make this happen”

Safety is our top priority and people must not try to turn their own gas supply back on. An engineer will call to reconnect the supply safely when it is safe to do so.

We are working closely with the London Borough of Barnet and Veolia Water. Together we have made contingency plans to provide alternative arrangements for anyone who we cannot reconnect in time for Christmas Day.

We will have a continued presence on site over the festive weekend in order to deal with any contingencies that may arise.

An incident room has been set up in St Mary’s Church of England Primary School in Littlegrove. Heating appliances have been distributed to affected households.

National Grid is working closely with the London Borough of Barnet’s emergency planning department to identify vulnerable people within the area.

To help National Grid restore gas supplies, it is important that the electricity network in Barnet is maintained. Residents are asked to use only essential electricity appliances and switch off any non-essential appliances.

ENDS

If you are a local resident and have any enquiries about the loss of gas supply in East Barnet, please call 0845 605 6677.

If you smell gas please ring the National Gas Emergency service on 0800 111 999.

For Media enquiries, please call 01926 656536 or 07899 983 792