Easter 2018 Gas problems, and now the questions are being asked

Angry demands are being made for answers after workmen smashed through a gas main – cutting off supplies to a whole town.

Virtually all of Silsden was left without gas when a contractor damaged a pipeline at the Barratt development off Belton Road.

The firm has apologised and says it has launched an investigation into what happened.

But this week it was alleged the housebuilder had been warned that gas mains were wrongly marked-up at the site.

The company has also been accused of flouting its own construction management statement by carrying out work on a bank holiday.

And bosses are facing claims they failed to support the massive community operation which swung into action following the incident.

Supplies to around 3,500 properties were cut on Good Friday morning.

A huge emergency plan was put into place by Northern Gas Networks.

It drafted in its own engineers and was backed-up by teams from other UK gas distribution companies including Cadent, Wales & West Utilities and SGN.

They were supported by countless agencies, organisations, and volunteers.

Town and district councillor Adrian Naylor said the community response had been fantastic, but serious questions now needed to be asked of Barratt.

“This incident caused great inconvenience and hardship to the people of Silsden – which was compounded by the wintry weather,” he said.

“Barratt representatives were seen briefly on Saturday and Monday morning, but the firm did not provide staff or resources to help people over the weekend.

“We are entitled to know why.

“I hope the company doesn’t see this disaster simply as a monetary exercise, only involving them writing a cheque some months down the line.

“Barratt could have at least provided some staff to support the effort, in leafleting the houses or handing out heaters and food.”

Councillor Naylor said a written submission by Silsden Town Council in relation to the Belton Road housing scheme warned the applicant that the gas main was incorrectly marked on the map.

He added:

“A town councillor who attended the planning meeting when the matter was discussed reiterated that the gas main was noted wrongly on the plans.

“Why did the company not double-check its plans?

“Lessons need to be learned from this incident and I have asked Bradford Council to hold a debriefing session.”

Ian Ruthven, managing director of Barratt & David Wilson Homes Yorkshire West Division, said

the firm had continued to support Northern Gas Networks this week as remaining properties were reconnected.

And he said an investigation into the circumstances of Friday’s incident was ongoing.

He added:

“We sincerely apologise to residents for the inconvenience that has been caused over the Easter weekend.

“There is an investigation ongoing and we are working with our subcontractor Athena and other parties to establish the circumstances of the accident.

“In the meantime, we are in touch with community groups and local councillors to offer further support and we thank local people for their patience and understanding and NGN for its hard work and efforts over the last few days.”

Athena Civil Engineering has also apologised.

James Marshall, the company’s commercial director, said:

“We sincerely apologise to residents in the Silsden area who were without gas over the Easter weekend as a result of accidental damage on the Saxon Dene site we were operating at.

“We are working very closely with the Barratt and David Wilson Homes Yorkshire West teams to investigate the circumstances around the weekend’s events, and are doing everything we can to ensure an incident like this does not occur again.

“Northern Gas Networks has done a fantastic job of reconnecting residents in the area, and we are extremely grateful to them.”

The letter from Barratt Homes to the residents of Silsden