Fears over gas leak lasting three weeks

Jan 16 2008 by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

GAS has been leaking out of a fractured pipe for three weeks.

A family reported the problem to British Gas on Christmas Day.

But the family say the problem – at the junction of Birkby Road, East Street and Halifax Road at Birchencliffe – has still not been resolved.

Manhole covers have been left open, with the gas at levels of between 28 and 30 on the measuring scale.

Evacuation levels for a gas leak inside or in very near to a property is around 20 on the scale.

The man who complained – who did not want to be named – said: “We have a gas leak of dangerous proportions which has been going on for three weeks.

“The gas people came and told us it was at a dangerous level.

“They took all the covers off to allow the gas to escape. But that was three weeks ago.

“The manhole covers are still off and we can smell gas. When we get in our car we can smell it.”

Warning signs were put in place, telling people not to flick cigarettes near the exposed area.

But people living nearby say the signs are too small and they are worried that people leaving the nearby Cavalry Arms pub would forget or not see the sign.

“If somebody flicked a cigarette down there the whole thing would go up,” the man added.

“It is not the first time is has happened. We have reported it before and nearly had to be evacuated six months ago because of the same thing.

“We have lived round here for more than 15 years and there is often a smell of gas from the pipes.

“We are told the problem is a fracture somewhere in the pipework. They have dug the road up before, but it is not satisfactory to have this gas smell around.”

United Utilities runs the region’s gas network on behalf of Northern Gas Networks.

A spokeswoman said: “We were called out to Birkby Road on Christmas day to a smell of gas. An outside leak was detected and immediate action taken to make the situation safe.

“We have been back every day since and will do so until we are able to carry out the permanent repair.

“Our engineers are trained to deal with these situations and assessments have shown there is no threat to people or property.

“As the main in question supplies a large area of Huddersfield the repair is a complex operation which will require a large excavation and the use of temporary traffic lights in Birkby Road.

“In the meantime we will continue to carry out daily checks.’’

She added: “We’d like to take this opportunity to remind people that if they smell gas in their homes and suspect a leak they should report it to the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.

“Do not leave it to anyone else to report it.’’