NATIONAL GRID AND VEOLIA WATER AGREE TO ATTEND EAST BARNET RESIDENTS' MEETING

Following requests from Chipping Barnet MP, Theresa Villiers, both National Grid and Veolia Water have agreed to take part in a meeting with East Barnet residents affected by the Christmas Gas Crisis. The meeting will take place on Wednesday 10th February at 7.30pm at the Community Centre at 48 Victoria Road. Residents are looking to question both companies on their handling of the crisis and the level of compensation on offer.

Up to 3500 homes in East Barnet lost their gas supply after a water main burst and leaked into the gas network just before Christmas last year. Some also lost their electricity as an influx of people plugging in electric heaters and hobs blew the electricity supply. Residents were initially offered the standard £30 compensation for every full 24 hours they spent without gas, but have since launched a campaign, backed by Theresa Villiers, for improved compensation levels.

Theresa said, “I am pleased that both National Grid and Veolia Water have agreed to meet East Barnet residents face to face to discuss their handling of the crisis and the compensation levels being offered. To lose your gas at any time of the year is a huge inconvenience, but this was made all the worse because it was Christmas.”

“Although both companies worked hard to try to reconnect residents to their gas supplies, there are still questions which need to be answered.”

“I am continuing to press both companies for additional discretionary compensation for residents. I believe that this is justified by the exceptional circumstances surrounding the East Barnet incident: firstly, it lasted for so long, secondly, it occurred over Christmas and thirdly, it occurred at a time of bitterly cold weather during the harshest winter for many years.”