A MAJOR gas leak has forced scores of resident to be evacuated from their homes.
Fairview Road gas leak
Some residents in Fairview Road, Leek, have been left homeless for more than three weeks after workers ruptured a gas main.
Gas readings in the cul-de-sac reached critical levels, forcing families and elderly residents to abandon their homes and live with family and friends.
However, more than three weeks after the initial burst two families in the street have yet to return home.
One resident, who did not want to be named, told Your Leek Paper that some residents were too frightened to sleep.
She said: “The situation is absolutely ludicrous. Three weeks ago we were all evacuated from our homes because we were told their was a major gas leak.
“Three weeks later and some families are still not back in their homes.
“Some of the elderly residents in the close have had no support — they’re terrified, some are even sleeping in their clothes, they don’t want to go to sleep.” Sue Hughes, 55, said that the leak had been affecting all residents on the street, not just those who had to be evacuated.
She said: “People have been affected for weeks, we’ve been feeling really tired, people have been feeling ill — all the symptoms of a gas leak.
“We went weeks without any information.
It is unacceptable.” A spokesman for National Grid, which are undertaking the work through contractor Transco, said leaks were a rare occurrence.
She said: “We had a problem with a burst gas main three weeks ago. Four properties were evacuated, but two have now returned.
“Contractors are on site every day taking gas readings and working to lower the gas readings so it is safe for people to return home.
“A leak like this is very unusual and we areworking hard to make the area safe, and are in constant touch with the residents affected.” Meanwhile, Paul Seymour, director of Moorlands Housing, which owns some of the properties affected, said they were working to return the residents to their homes “as a matter of urgency”.
He said: “We are currently looking into this matter but in the meantime would like to reassure the residents concerned that we have liaised with Transco, who are undertaking the gas repair works, to ensure that they are able to return to their homes as a matter of urgency.
“As soon as we have further information we will be in touch with the individual residents”