Transco shamed

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Shepherds Bush residents left 72 days without gas

The gloves are coming off in Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s battle with Transco to restore gas supplies to the long-suffering residents of a Shepherds Bush tower block.

The council hopes to shame NG Transco Board Chairman, Sir John Parker, and Chief Executive, Roger Urwin, by sending them details of the disruption the 250 residents of Shepherds Court have been forced to endure since their gas was cut off in August.

Transco switched off supplies to Shepherds Court on August 7 after a gas build-up in the basement which triggered an emergency evacuation. They have taken responsibility for the problem but were only legally required to pay compensation to the gas service-providing companies rather than the residents. The council intervened to win a direct payment for each resident on 17 August. Ever since Transco have refused to continue compensation payments.

A dossier of distress is being hand-delivered by councillors and tenants to Transco’s Strand HQ on Wednesday 20 October. It tells heart-rending stories of treks to communal showers, freezing nights and of elderly residents huddling together in the council’s local housing office. The idea is to confront Transco with the human cost of their failures.

Councillors hope that it will make uncomfortable reading, especially when they contrast the plight of the Shepherds Court residents with the £2 billion shares windfall NG Transco plc shareholders stand to bank, following the controversial sell-off of a chunk of their distribution network.

The council is asking for a payment for each resident which adequately compensates them for the distress and the extra costs Transco’s failings have caused. It is also demanding rapid reconnection of gas supplies for all the residents and reimbursement of £100,000 of taxpayers’ money the council has spent on providing temporary heat, showers and cooking facilities for residents.

“It’s nine weeks since Transco turned off supplies to Shepherds Court and our patience has run out ... the time for talking is over,” said council housing deputy, Cllr Stephen Cowan. “I make no apologies for this unorthodox approach. We owe it to our residents and the council tax payers who will ultimately have to pick up the bill.

“I hope these heart-rending stories will shame these corporate fat cats as they sip their morning cappuccinos. We want an urgent meeting with consumer minister, Gerry Sutcliffe, to ask him to freeze NGT’s share deal until our residents get the compensation they deserve.”

Local councillors Melanie Smallman and Siobhan Coughlan have been fighting for residents, referring the case to energy regulator Ofgem and consumer champions Energy watch, as well as hosting negotiations with Transco and providing regular bulletins to residents. The council has provided microwaves and hotplates and set up a temporary shower block on the estate.

October 24, 2004