Having listened to concerns from across the community, we’ll shortly start work to upgrade our gas network across the Kincaidston estate during the week commencing 29 November.
This week, we have been finalising our plans for the project and will send out more information to all residents the week commencing 22 November.
The leaflet will include details about three customer drop-in sessions taking place ahead of the project starting. The drop in sessions will be held at the Kincaidston Community Pavilion on Thursday 25 November (3pm-5.30pm), Friday 26 November (12noon-6pm) and Monday 29 November (10am-5pm).
There will also be a dedicated point of contact from SGN on site to answer any questions about our project as works get under way.
There will also be a project page with further information on our website.
We’d like to confirm that when replacing the gas services to individual properties we will be moving the majority of gas meters to an outside position. This will be housed in a secure meter box which we will also fit as part of the works. Where there are technical reasons or residents would prefer an alternative position we will discuss this with you. For the flats on the estate, the meter positions will remain where they are, although all the service pipes will be converted.
We’d like to reassure you once again that our gas network in the area remains safe and will continue to be throughout this project.
Please also remember if at any time you smell gas, call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999.
Updated statement: Friday 29 October
As the detailed and thorough investigation into this incident continues, our thoughts remain with the family injured in the explosion.
It’s vitally important to us that we update the community who have been so heavily impacted by the incident in Kincaidston regarding the safety checks being undertaken by SGN.
This week our engineers have carried out a thorough and stringent safety survey of the whole of the Kincaidston estate. While this may have alarmed some householders, we can assure everyone that this was a precautionary measure.
Following this full survey, we identified some minor gas escapes in different locations across the wider area. These thorough checks carried out by our engineers showed some minor gas readings in different locations but the leaks were quickly repaired.
Now the repairs have been made, our engineers are working on the associated pipe replacement work, which is sometimes required after a repair has been completed.
This means our engineers will be visible in the community over the next few days. We’ll also need to reinstate the ground we dug out for these repairs.
We continue to communicate with the local community through their elected members and through all our partners. To add further reassurance to customers, today we are delivering letters directly to residents’ homes with a reassurance message advising them of what we’ve done and are doing to maintain their complete safety.
Updated statement: Wednesday 27 October
Following localised safety checks last week, we have now completed a safety survey of the whole of the Kincaidston estate.
From this survey we identified the need for three minor repairs. Two are complete and we’re working on a third now.
As a result of the safety checks, we can confirm to householders their gas remains safe to use.
Updated statement: Friday 22 October
This weekend, our engineers will continue to maintain a presence on site following the serious incident at Gorse Park on Monday evening.
A number of our engineers have been working at this location under the direction of the emergency services and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Their detailed investigation will continue next week. Together, we’re all collaborating with a number of expert parties to establish the cause of the explosion.
Over the weekend, our team will remain on site to monitor an above-ground temporary gas main which is in place to secure the gas supplies to homes in the immediate vicinity. This temporary pipeline is required so we could remove the existing gas main to allow demolition of the affected buildings. Our engineers will continue to monitor the temporary pipeline while it’s in place.
Our engineers have carried out full safety checks in the area to ensure the safety of all the homes close to the damaged properties. We’re aware some residents may have turned off their gas supply at the meter as a result of the incident. If this applies to you, then our engineers are available to visit your property and safely turn your gas supply back on. If you need our help on this please call us on 0800 912 1700.
A number of residents are still unable to return to their homes while the emergency cordon set up by the Police remains in place. Staff at South Ayrshire Council are continuing to support those who have been evacuated and anyone with questions about returning to their property should call them on 0300 123 0900.
We'd like to reiterate our assurances to these residents and the local community that the gas network across the area remains safe and secure to use.
For general information, anyone smelling gas at any time should call the National Gas Emergency Number on 0800 111 999.
Finally, our thoughts remain with those injured and everyone in the Kincaidston community impacted by this incident.