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Work to restore Wirral gas supply More than 2,000 homes without gas in Wirral
(about 4 hours later)
Engineers are working to restore gas to hundreds of homes in Wirral after a pipe was damaged by a burst water main. Engineers are working to restore gas to more than 2,000 properties in Wirral after a pipe was damaged by a burst water main.
About 80 National Grid engineers were visiting properties in Moreton and Leasowe on Saturday. A total of 2,066 homes across 70 streets in Moreton and Leasowe are still affected by the disruption.
The gas main was repaired on Friday and the water now needs to be pumped from the pipe which means gas supplies need to be disconnected. The gas main, at the junction of Danger Lane and Hoylake Road, Moreton, was repaired on Friday and the water now needs to be pumped from the pipe.
A National Grid spokeswoman said it was working to identify those affected and disconnect their gas. About 80 National Grid engineers were visiting properties on Saturday.
It has had reports of gas supply issues in 53 roads in the CH46 postcode area. A National Grid spokeswoman said it was working to identify those properties affected and disconnect their gas so the water could be removed from the pipe.
Residents are urged to ensure someone is at home so an engineer can visit. 'Unusual circumstances'
So far 2,610 properties have been visited. Of those, 878 were without gas, 1,347 were found to have gas and 385 engineers could not gain access. Engineers will need to visit every affected property in each area to ensure the gas supply is turned off at the meter.
Residents have been urged to ensure someone is at home so an engineer can visit.
Once all the water has been removed from the network and gas is back in the mains, a second visit will be made to turn on the supply to each property.
National Grid spokeswoman Sarah Wilcox said: "We will be working throughout the weekend to get as many people back on as possible.National Grid spokeswoman Sarah Wilcox said: "We will be working throughout the weekend to get as many people back on as possible.
"These are very rare and unusual occurrences and there will be an investigation into how this happened.""These are very rare and unusual occurrences and there will be an investigation into how this happened."
Alternative heating and cooking facilities are being provided at Leasowe Community Centre in Twickenham Drive.Alternative heating and cooking facilities are being provided at Leasowe Community Centre in Twickenham Drive.
Ms Wilcox said: "Vulnerable people, elderly people, disabled people and those who've got a member of the family who might be very ill can pick up electric heaters and hot plates.Ms Wilcox said: "Vulnerable people, elderly people, disabled people and those who've got a member of the family who might be very ill can pick up electric heaters and hot plates.
"Our priority at the moment is to try and get everybody back on gas as soon as possible.""Our priority at the moment is to try and get everybody back on gas as soon as possible."