‘National Grid is riding roughshod over us. It needs to be brought to book’

Thursday, 14 January 2010

Group to fight for for compensation over burst pipes that ruined Christmas

By Nick Griffin

DEFIANT residents whose Christmas was ruined when gas and water supplies were cut off due to ruptured pipes are launching a fight for better compensation.

At least 1,000 homes in the East Barnet area were left without heating and hot water after a burst water main forced water into gas pipes on December 20.

Despite engineers’ efforts, at least 150 families spent Christmas without gas, leaving them to rely on fan heaters and electric hobs dished out to residents at an emergency control-room.

Homeowners have slammed utility company National Grid saying it is hiding behind compensation guidelines to “ride roughshod” over residents’ needs and there is growing anger about the promise of £30-a-day compensation.

National Grid has now confirmed that residents who planned to be at home but were without gas on Christmas and Boxing Day will also be eligible for a £100 payout for each of those days – but only if they register.

Residents have called for National Grid to hold a public meeting to air their grievances.

Bernard Walsh, of Brookhill Road, who was without gas until December 28, is helping to orchestrate the campaign. He said: “We’ve heard nothing. It appears to be using pre-agreed compensation guidelines to ride roughshod over us. This has cost people cash from their pockets yet National Grid has made no contact. People at the top of it need to be brought to book.”

Gareth Chambers, of Cat Hill, was left without gas until December 30. He says it cost him at least £15 a day to top up his electricity meter to run heaters. It also wrecked plans for his 86-year-old mother to visit.

He added: “The hob I was given kept tripping the fusebox so I had to eat takeaways.”

Ron Bennett, of Longmore Avenue, said: “This could leave people shortchanged with massively increased electricity bills. What can you get for £30?”

A National Grid spokesman said: “We’re sorry but we tried hard to contact customers. The compensation is set by Ofgem. However we are offering a goodwill payment of £100 a day for Christmas and Boxing Day.”

Residents eligible for a goodwill payment should receive letters by Friday, others registered with National Grid by January 20 and the remainder by January 22.

Those wishing to be paid directly by National Grid but who are not registered should call 0845 605 6677 by Friday.

Email: nick.griffin@nlhnews.co.uk

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3 comments on this news item

Posted by : Mr and Mrs W, Crescent Road, Barnet, EN4 | Thursday 28/Jan/2010 | Report this comment

totally agree with your comments. The staff at the incident centre for National Grid, were to us, just a bunch of paid liars.We were without gas from 20/12/09 to 30/12/09 when our central heating was restored.We also had no electricity for 4 days during this period.We received no letters from Veolia or NG.I was personally lied to by D Luetchford, S Lees and K Savage and they should be held to account

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Posted by : Chris Rogers, Churchmead Close EN4 8UY | Saturday 16/Jan/2010 | Report this comment

Totally agree with comments added by Philip. I know assumptions are dangerous but on the hand delivered communication posted from National Grid on 24th December there is mention of additional payments to residents without gas on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. I assume that this is £100 in addition to the £30 making a total of £130 per day for each of these days? Either way, woefully inadequate!

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Posted by : Philip Ridout, East Barnet | Friday 15/Jan/2010 | Report this comment

Nick,

I totally agree with your article. Christmas was a misery. Our gas supply is still variable, and we still have an enourmous hole outside our house, so that we are unable to get our cars in and out of the driveway. Our gas supply was disrupted first on 20th December and we could only start cooking on our hob on 30 December. Christmas was ruined, we were unable to eat at home (thus incurring a cost from eating out), and had to put off my elderly parents from having Christmas Day at home.

I believe that £30 a day hardly covers the electricity charge and that for this 10 day period over Christmas compensation circa £1500 should be paid. I think that £30 a day is laughable. I have heard nothing about any compensation. They are quick enough to take monies out of my bank account, but when it goes the other way, that is where the communication dries up.

Please add my name to the petition that you are preparing.

Philip Ridout

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