Work progressing to reconnect Kelso gas supply
Tuesday, December 2 2008
While work is progressing today to reconnect the gas supply to the the 3,000 affected households in the Kelso area, Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has been working with key partners including NHS Borders and Scotland Gas Networks (SGN) to ensure that residents’ needs are being met.
NHS Borders and SBC Social Work teams have telephoned or visited elderly and vulnerable residents and those with special healthcare needs. Contact with these residents will be maintained until the gas supply is restored.
A drop-in centre was set up today at Kelso High School from 9.30 a.m to 4.30 p.m, providing a warm area and hot food and drinks for local people.
Today, some properties in the Ednam area have been reconnected and Scotland Gas Networks is beginning the reconnection process throughout the area – with priority being given where possible to reconnecting Kelso Hospital, care homes, sheltered housing complexes and schools. However, it is expected that a number of homes will still be without a gas supply overnight tonight.
Kelso High School and Broomlands and Edenside Primaries will remain closed today and, at present, we are informing parents that they should expect the schools to remain closed tomorrow, although a definite decision will be taken later this afternoon.
Temporary electric heaters and cooking appliances have already been lent to many local residents and similar arrangements have been made in care homes, sheltered housing complexes and Kelso Hospital.
Rutherford Square Day Centre was subject to a planned closure today so users had been fully informed.
General advice to those householders who will remain without a gas supply tonight is to concentrate on keeping one room in the house warm – using electric heaters.
SGN has established a helpline on 0845 070 1432 and more information is available on their website at www.scotiagasnetworks.co.uk
Any residents requiring urgent assistance should phone SBC’s Bordercare on 01896 752111 – at any time of the day or night.
Further information on the supply restoration works, drop-in centres and school closures will be made available later this afternoon.
Unified Solutions.