National Grid has today (December 27) made good progress as it continues to restore gas supplies to properties in East Barnet.

National Grid Incident Controller David Luetchford said: "This has been a better day in a tough week. We have overcome technical problems with the gas and water systems which caused the number of customers without gas to increase yesterday and have restored supplies to the majority of properties that were without gas last night.”

A huge amount of water has been pumped out of the network by National Grid engineers. While some water remains in the service pipes to customers’ properties, the main gas network is believed to be clear
Remaining water being is being pumped out of the system and gas supplies are being reconnected promptly.

Mr Luetchford added: “As people who have been away over the Christmas period return to their homes we expect to receive further reports of problems with gas supply which we will respond to as quickly as possible.

“We have the resources we need to do the job and I am confident that we can move forward and restore supplies to many more properties tonight and tomorrow.”

National Grid is working closely with the London Borough of Barnet and Veolia Water to restore supplies. Around 200 engineers and support staff are dealing with the incident and work will continue late into the night to restore more supplies.

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.

National Grid has written to residents giving information about compensation for loss of gas supplies which will be provided under the company’s Standards of Service.

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

To help National Grid restore gas supplies it is important that the electricity supply network in Barnet is maintained. Residents are asked to use only essential electricity supplies 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 07810 853075