Published on:
30
November 2012
Scotland Gas Networks engineers have now restored the gas supply to over 3000 homes in Tillicoultry, Dollar and Coalsnaughton and have a team of engineers working hard to complete the reconnection of supplies to all remaining properties.
Clackmannanshire Council Chief Executive, Elaine McPherson, said: "I would like to thank SGN for the excellent speed and efficiency of their response. The Council and SGN have worked exceptionally well together.
"In addition our partners in Central Scotland Police, NHS Forth Valley and Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service have all contributed to the successful resolution of the incident.
Huge thanks must also go to the voluntary sector, community groups, businesses and volunteers in Tillicoultry, Coalsnaughton and Dollar for the way they have responded to this unexpected incident."
Council Leader, Councillor Gary Womersley was also full of praise for the way the operation has been handled over the past four days.
He added: "I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to Council staff from a range of services for their commitment, effort and the exemplary management of the situation. I would also like to thank the media for their assistance in helping to spread the word during the incident. There has been a lot of positive feedback from the Scottish Government with regards to the way we have handled this incident and I am pleased that our efforts have been recognised beyond Clackmannanshire."
Ian Carmichael, General Manager for Scotland Gas Networks said: "From our point of view, the key to managing this incident was the partnership working between ourselves and all the other agencies involved. Their support, and that of the local community has been tremendous throughout and I would like to add my personal thanks to everyone involved."
Superintendent Gordon Dawson, who led the police response to the incident, said: "This was a major incident which was successfully managed due to the close co-operation between the emergency partner agencies, Clackmannanshire Council, the Voluntary Sector and Scotland Gas Networks.
"A significant police presence was required to ensure the safety and security of the thousands of affected households and I am pleased that Central Scotland Police was able to provide this over the three days of the emergency. The people of Clackmannanshire can be reassured that their police service is there to assist when needed."
Glynis Gordon, Lead Nurse, Clackmannanshire Community Health Partnership, NHS Forth Valley, said: "We were delighted to work with our partners to ensure that some of our most vulnerable patients were kept warm. Not only did we make sure they had heaters but we also checked that they had sufficient food available and were coping well in what were very difficult circumstances.
"I would also like to thank all of the district nurses, some of whom stayed on late and others who came in on their day off, to carry out home checks. This situation was a perfect example of what working together can achieve."
Robert Colburn, Red Cross senior service manager for emergency response in East Scotland, said: "The fundamental reason the Red Cross exists is to ensure that people who need help in times of crisis get it, whoever and wherever they are.
"Working with the other member agencies of the Voluntary Sector Co-ordinating Group in Central Scotland enabled us to deliver a fast and effective response to vulnerable people in Clackmannanshire when gas supplies to 3,500 in the area were cut off.
"Being able to deliver a co-ordinated service means that those who are vulnerable can be speedily identified and given the help they need to get through a crisis and recover from it."
As well as the British Red Cross others from the Voluntary Sector Co-ordinating Group involved were St Andrew's First Aid, International Rescue Corps and Ochil Mountain Rescue Team, Lothian 4x4 and the Salvation Army.
In the case of the remaining 450 homes where SGN have been unable to gain access they have left a postcard and are asking that customers contact their customer helpline on 0845 070 1432 on their return and SGN will arrange for an engineer to call to restore gas.