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17
Oct 2021
Last Updated: 17/10/2021
Emergency hub closes as gas returns to 3,000 Harrogate homes
Northern Gas Networks has closed its emergency hub at the Styan Community Centre in Jennyfields as gas supplies return. Food vouchers are valid until 7pm tonight.
Gas is starting to be restored to 3,000 Harrogate homes affected after a pipe was damaged on Friday afternoon.
The leak, which is believed to have occurred on Ripon Road, left many homes, especially in Jennyfields, without heating and cooking facilities.
The Styan Community Centre in Jennyfields has operated as an emergency hub, providing free electric heaters and hot plates as well as food vouchers.
Email your updates to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
You can catch up with yesterday's developments here.
4.55pm - Resident celebrates with three baths
There was striking good humour and community spirit at the emergency hub in Jennyfields today as people queued for electric heaters and food vouchers, and that spirit is continuing.
https://twitter.com/SeanoSays/status/1449762015166308353
Northern Gas Networks have earned praise for its swift emergency response. But question remain about what caused the leak - no reason has been given yet.
4.15pm - Emergency hub closes as gas returns
Northern Gas Networks has closed its emergency hub at the Styan Community Centre in Jennyfields.
In a 4pm update, the company said the restoration of gas supplies was "going well" and that food vouchers would still be valid until 7pm tonight.
It said:
"The restoration of gas supplies in Harrogate is going well and we have now closed our customer support centre in Gateley Drive.
"However, the hot food vans will remain on site there until 7pm to honour any outstanding food vouchers which have not yet been redeemed.
"Northern Gas Networks engineers are still on site supporting people in switching on their gas and will be visiting everyone to make sure they are safely reconnected to the supply. Please bear with us as we continue this important work. We will get to everyone.
"Everyone in the affected areas should now have received their letter outlining the correct procedure (detailed below) for switching their own gas supply back on safely. If you need help with this, please contact our Customer Care Team on 0800 040 7766 followed by option 3."
3.45pm - Hydro 'back to normal' tomorrow
https://twitter.com/Harrogatebc/status/1449747493269479425
2.55pm - Jennyfield residents report gas returning
People in Jennyfield have started saying on social media that their gas is working again - almost 48 hours after the major leak occurred.
It comes shortly after Northern Gas Networks issued an update saying engineers have "restored the gas pressure in the mains network in Harrogate and are ready to start switching people’s gas back on".
The company added:
"This could take a little time as we need to visit everyone but you can start using gas again straight away by following the step-by-step instructions below. These explain how to safely turn your own gas supply back on yourself.
"Our engineers are on site and will be carrying out door-to-door checks to make sure everyone’s gas supply is back to normal.
"You will also receive a letter containing these instructions. If you need help − contact us on 0800 040 7766 followed by option 3.
Further information is here.
2.50pm - Council 'hopeful' Hydro will open tomorrow.
Harrogate Borough Council has just tweeted an update about the Hydro.
https://twitter.com/HBCPrepared/status/1449730637250891786
2.35pm - 'We've just put a few extra jumpers on!' - Jennyfields residents react calmly to gas loss
Jennyfield residents seemed phlegmatic about the situation when the Stray Ferret visited today.
Emma Nicholson, who lives on Hartwith Drive, said her gas went off at about 3pm on Friday and she hadn't had any gas or hot water since.
"We've been very lucky. The weather has been quite nice and the response at the community centre has been good. We've just put a few extra jumpers on!"
Maurice Doe, who lives in Bramham Drive, was similarly relaxed.
He said it had been "slightly chilly" at home but cooking rather than cold was the main problem.
"It's been a little bit awkward, but these things happen and it's good that Northern gas Networks have responded as they have. "
About 2,000 electric heaters and hot plates have been handed out this weekend but Mr Doe said he didn't take one.
"If I get cold I just put my dressing gown on."
2.10pm - Chip shop says thanks
The Wharfe fish and chip shop on Skipton Road, which took part in the food voucher scheme yesterday, has said thank you on Facebook to staff and customers after last night's mammoth turnout.
Hundreds of customers flocked to the shop, some of whom waited 90 minutes to be served due to the huge demand.
"We would love to say a massive thank you to its hard working staff today after yesterday's amazing effort.
"10 hours on their feet flat out all day but still serving with a smile and just wanting to help out in this time of need.
"Also a big thank you to the customers for being patient and understanding of the wait."
Remember, only Grill Time and the Nippy Chippy next to the Styan Community Centre emergency hub are participating in the free £10 food voucher today.
1.40pm - Gas supplies 'starting to be restored'
Northern Gas Networks has just tweeted to say it has started restoring gas. Let us know if yours is back yet. Email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
https://twitter.com/NGNgas/status/1449715766413115398
12.25pm - Hydro to remain closed all day
https://twitter.com/Harrogatebc/status/1449688490036416513
12.02pm - Emergency hub at Styan Community Centre busy
The Stray Ferret visited the Styan Community Centre about half an hour ago. Fan heaters are still being distributed and food is still available from the Co-Op.
There are also £10 food vouchers for two food vans next to the community centre: Grill Time and the Nippy Chippy.
Northern Gas Networks staff said they hope gas will return later today. You can watch our interview with Tim Harwood, programme manager director at the company, here.
10.56am - Northern Gas Networks 'getting ready to start restoring supplies'
The company that distributes gas has just tweeted...
https://twitter.com/NGNgas/status/1449674908041109508
10.20am - Gas could return this morning — but residents need to act
In its first update today, Northern Gas Networks has said "engineers are preparing the network so they can start work to begin to restore supplies this morning".
But it adds those affected must complete the safety checks outlined last night.
Details of what you need to do, and the streets affected, are here.
10.15am - Free showers at Rossett Sports Centre
Rossett Sports Centre on Pannal Ash Road is offering free hot showers to anyone affected by the gas leak.
No need to call in advance or book. Just turn up before it closes at 6pm today. The postcode is HG2 9JP. The number 6 bus stops outside.
10am - Food vouchers go down a storm
Last night's food vouchers appear to have been a big hit, judging by the queues. People waited outside in the cold for 90 minutes at The Wharf fish and chip shop on Skipton Lane and there was also a roaring trade at Freddie's on Grantley Drive, next to Styan Community Centre, when the Stray Ferret drove by early evening.
Pizza Parada on Station Parade in Harrogate was also accepting vouchers until midnight.
9.15am - Styan Community Centre reopens as emergency hub
The council-owned building on Grantley Drive, Jennyfields provided free electric heaters and hot plates yesterday, as well as food vounchers. It was due to re-open this morning.
https://twitter.com/NGNgas/status/1449484455735930886
There was praise for yesterday's emergency response by reader Gemma Bradley, who emailed us to say:
"I just wanted to say that the staff at Jennyfields community centre are fantastic. In the midst of frustrated pensioners' worries about cats and holidaying neighbours, the team are still smiling and helping as many people as quickly as possible.
"The supply of electric heaters and food items has been set up quickly and confirmation of engineers coming to houses to ensure the gas supply is safe, once supplies return is reassuring."
8.58am - Hydro closed this morning
Harrogate Borough Council has said the Hydro will be closed until at least midday.
https://twitter.com/Harrogatebc/status/1449406029687578642
Read more:
- Gas Leak Live: Northern Gas Networks issues evening update
- Harrogate businesses call for meeting to discuss £10.9m Station Gateway
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