GMB Gas Union Calls For Enquiry Into Durham Gas Leak As Fragmentation Of The Gas Industry Gives Rise To Growing Safety Concern.

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Date: 15 february 2007

GMB believes that unless there is urgent action further disruption to gas supplies and a catastrophe are a possibility

GMB, Britain’s gas Union, has called for any enquiry into the recent incident which saw 6,000 homes, businesses and seven schools in the Crook area of CountyDurhamin the North East loose their gas supply. The interruption to supply was caused after a digger cut through a high pressure main in Middlestone Moor in Spennymoore on Monday lunchtime which caused an enormous gas leak. GMB members are working around the clock to restore gas supplies.

Northern Gas Networks which is responsible for gas distribution in the region is majority owned by A Chinese bank CKI. Responsibility for maintaining the NorthernGas Networks infrastructure or pipes is sub contracted to United Utilities. United Utilities recently announced a partnership which will see a bigger role for other sub contractors maintaining this network including Balfour Beatty who are involved in the incident in CountyDurham. GMB is currently in dispute with United Utilities since there was no proper consultation with GMB before their new partnership with Balfour Beatty was launched.

Joan Anderson, GMB organiser in the gas industry in the North East said, “The UK’s gas infrastructure has been sold off piecemeal. The situation is a now a disgrace. The current system of regulation is failing consumers and endangering lives. GMB, with over a century of experience in the gas industry believes that unless there is urgent action further disruption to gas supplies and a catastrophe are a possibility.

GMB will be challenging the regulator who demanded the fragmentation of the national gas grid. We will press the HSE and crucially government to conduct a proper enquiry into this matter. GMB is raising the issue with local MP’s today as well.

GMB consider that the growing use of sub-contractors and the fragmented way the distribution network is being managed is undermining public safety and the security of gas supplies.

United Utilities has claimed that the contract is suffering financial difficulties. GMB is concerned about levels of maintenance across the gas network in the region. However, financial results to be announced on February 20th are expected to show record levels of profit for NorthernGas Networks.”

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Contact: Rose Conroy, GMB Press Officer on 07974 251823 or Steve Pryle, GMB

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