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Clackmannanshire gas leak: Engineers work to restore supplies Clackmannanshire gas leak: Engineers work to restore supplies
(about 4 hours later)
About 3,500 homes in Clackmannanshire are still without gas after a mains pipe was accidentally severed.About 3,500 homes in Clackmannanshire are still without gas after a mains pipe was accidentally severed.
It is understood it had been severed by a farmer doing drainage work near Fishcross.It is understood it had been severed by a farmer doing drainage work near Fishcross.
Scotland Gas Networks (SGN) said its engineers had made a permanent repair to the broken gas pipe at about 01:00 on Wednesday.Scotland Gas Networks (SGN) said its engineers had made a permanent repair to the broken gas pipe at about 01:00 on Wednesday.
It hopes to have reconnected some affected properties by the end of the day. However, SGN added it still had to gain access to 150 homes to switch off the gas, before supplies can be restored.
Elderly and vulnerable residents have been given temporary heaters and cooking equipment.Elderly and vulnerable residents have been given temporary heaters and cooking equipment.
Schools reopened
Gas supplies were disconnected in Dollar, Tillicoultry and Fishcross on Tuesday afternoon, while local primary schools were evacuated and residents advised to stay indoors.Gas supplies were disconnected in Dollar, Tillicoultry and Fishcross on Tuesday afternoon, while local primary schools were evacuated and residents advised to stay indoors.
Dollar Academy will remain closed on Wednesday. About 1,200 pupils have been told to stay at home as the school's heating will not be working. All other schools in the area were expected to be open as usual.Dollar Academy will remain closed on Wednesday. About 1,200 pupils have been told to stay at home as the school's heating will not be working. All other schools in the area were expected to be open as usual.
A facility set up at Tillicoultry Community Centre has reopened for residents.
Some of those affected complained of poor communication from SGN in the wake of the leak.Some of those affected complained of poor communication from SGN in the wake of the leak.
One woman from Tillicoultry told BBC Scotland: "We saw plenty vans but no-one came to say anything, so I don't know anything. Why has there been no information?One woman from Tillicoultry told BBC Scotland: "We saw plenty vans but no-one came to say anything, so I don't know anything. Why has there been no information?
"It was an accident that happened, we all understand that, but I thought pipes were under the ground a lot lower than a farmer is digging"."It was an accident that happened, we all understand that, but I thought pipes were under the ground a lot lower than a farmer is digging".
Temporary heatingTemporary heating
Another resident said: "About three o'clock (on Tuesday afternoon) the heating went down and it has been extremely cold overnight - very, very cold. No hot water, no heating.Another resident said: "About three o'clock (on Tuesday afternoon) the heating went down and it has been extremely cold overnight - very, very cold. No hot water, no heating.
"It is quite disappointing in this day and age that this kind of thing happens, but unfortunately it's just life and you get on with it.""It is quite disappointing in this day and age that this kind of thing happens, but unfortunately it's just life and you get on with it."
SGN said it was working closely with Clackmannanshire Council to provide temporary heating and cooking appliances to those who needed them.SGN said it was working closely with Clackmannanshire Council to provide temporary heating and cooking appliances to those who needed them.
The company said the pipe had been repaired overnight and the leak stopped - but engineers will have to visit every customer to check it is safe to restore supplies. The company said the pipe had been repaired overnight and the leak stopped - but engineers had to visit every customer to check it is safe to restore supplies.
People were being asked to stay at home rather than go to work until their gas had been switched off, or to leave the key with a neighbour, relative or friend.
Locksmiths used
SGN said they were using locksmiths and the police to help gain access to any homes where they had not been able to get inside.
Anne Neilson from SGN told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme the firm had not been given notification that the farmer intended to do do any work in the area, so had been unable to advise him of the pipe's exact location.Anne Neilson from SGN told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme the firm had not been given notification that the farmer intended to do do any work in the area, so had been unable to advise him of the pipe's exact location.
She added: "It has been quite significant damage which has obviously caused quite a considerable amount of disruption to 3,500 customers. We have been trying to keep customers updated, and have got updates on our website. We will continue to be doing that throughout today (Wednesday).She added: "It has been quite significant damage which has obviously caused quite a considerable amount of disruption to 3,500 customers. We have been trying to keep customers updated, and have got updates on our website. We will continue to be doing that throughout today (Wednesday).
"We have to go round and make sure for safety reasons that gas is turned off and appliances are turned off in the home."We have to go round and make sure for safety reasons that gas is turned off and appliances are turned off in the home.
"At the same time, our engineers have been working throughout the night to repair the damaged main, to stop the leak and to actually carry out a permanent repair on the pipe that has been damaged."At the same time, our engineers have been working throughout the night to repair the damaged main, to stop the leak and to actually carry out a permanent repair on the pipe that has been damaged.
"Obviously it is quite difficult to say, but we would hope that we may be in a position by the end of today to start turning on some customers - but if not, certainly tomorrow.""Obviously it is quite difficult to say, but we would hope that we may be in a position by the end of today to start turning on some customers - but if not, certainly tomorrow."
SGN said it had managed to switch off the gas at 75% of homes in the area, with work ongoing to turn it off in the remaining properties. SGN also added that anyone who had been without gas for more than 24 hours would be eligible for compensation.
People were being asked to stay at home rather than go to work until their gas had been switched off, or to leave the key with a neighbour, relative or friend. The money will paid automatically, but could take several weeks to be processed.