Gas restored after supply failure

Scottish gas workers hand out fan heaters to locals

Gas supplies have been restored to homes in the Scottish Borders affected by a shutdown.

Most of the 3,000 premises around Kelso which lost supplies on Monday have now been reconnected.

Scotia Gas Networks said a few homes and businesses where people had not been present to allow engineers access would be reconnected on Thursday.

More than 100 engineers have been working to restore the service after a gas governor shut down on Monday.

The local MSP has called for Scotia Gas Networks to compensate those affected.

John Lamont, Conservative MSP for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, said the gas cut has been particularly difficult for his constituents in Kelso.

Householders will receive �30 compensation for each complete 24-hour period they are without gas, after the first 24 hours Scotia Gas Networks

He said: "I know that many people will face significantly higher electricity bills as a result of having to heat their homes using electric heaters.

"It is only right that these extra costs should be covered by the company responsible for this situation.

"I have raised this matter with Scotia Gas Networks and also Ofgem - I hope to have a response soon."

A spokesman from Scotia Gas Networks said those affected would be compensated for some of the time they were left without gas.

She said: "Householders will receive �30 compensation for each complete 24-hour period they are without gas, after the first 24 hours.

"This compensation is paid to them directly by their gas supplier following completion of the incident.

"The name of the customer's gas supplier can be found at the top of their gas bill and there is no need for them to apply for compensation, as it is paid automatically."

Electric heaters have been handed out during the period without gas supplies and a drop-in centre operated at Kelso High School.

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