Gas firm pays up after leak drama
HUNDREDS of people who lost their gas supply during days of heavy snow in January have been given compensation.
Around 400 households in Dewsbury and Batley lost their gas supply after a brook in Hanging Heaton burst its banks.
Flood water got into the gas supply, causing fractures in pipes.
Northern Gas Networks spokesman John O’Grady said most people affected had been paid compensation.
He said: “The normal procedure is that we would pay the gas supply company, who would then pay the customer. But we thought that, given the time of year and the bad weather, we should pay people directly to speed the process up.
“We also put up the compensation from 30 a day to 50.
“If our records show you were cut off for two days but you say it was three, we’ll pay you for three days. Money doesn’t matter here, what matters is that we recognise the problems that were caused and we’re prepared to do the right thing.”
Shaw Cross, Hanging Heaton and Mill Lane schools stayed closed after losing their gas supplies, giving children an extended Christmas holiday.
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Weather for Batley
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
