Supporting vulnerable a priority amid gas outage

List made of those needing urgent support

Efforts to ensure support for the most vulnerable people hit by South Devon’s massive gas outage was quickly stepped up with various organisations combining forces.

Thousands of homes in Kingsbridge, Marlborough and Salcombe are among those that have suffered an interruption to their gas supply just as temperatures plummet.

A huge effort has been made to hand out various items, such as heaters, to help households through the period until the gas supply can be reactivated.

But vulnerable people in the area, including those who might be able to easily leave home, especially in the wintry conditions, have been the focus of a joined-up strategy to ensure help reaches them.

Around 4,600 properties are understood to have been impacted.

Devon County Council said members of its emergency duty team and senior managers worked with the gas provider, Wales & West Utilities, and other organisations such as town and district councils, to make sure vulnerable people were supported.

“Council officers have been cross referencing our list of vulnerable people – known to be in receipt of care in the areas affected – with the priority service list held by gas companies to make sure that those in need are prioritised for visits,” a spokesperson for Devon County Council said.

“Similarly, we’re linking with community groups and GPs to identify people where no formalised care provision is in place, but who still need help at this time.

“We’ve also contacted local care agencies and affected care providers to ensure that they are able to support those they help.”

The spokesperson said the council’s staff joined meetings over the weekend to ensure any concerns raised by other organisations were dealt with.

“We’re also making sure that NHS colleagues in our integrated health and social care community teams are up to speed, and carrying out welfare calls to those in receipt of services,” the spokesperson added.

The area’s MP, Caroline Voaden (Liberal Democrat), posted a video on Facebook outside Marlborough Village Hall also urging members of the community to look out for more vulnerable people.

“The most important message is that if you are fit, able and healthy, and there is someone in your community, street or neighbourhood, who might be older, more vulnerable or disabled, and who might not be plugged into social media and aware of what’s going on, then knock on their door and check they are okay,” she said.

“And if they need heating equipment or cooking equipment, like an electric hob, then you can come here and pick one up for them.

“It’s important we look out for our neighbours and I know that you’ve been doing that brilliantly so far, with the Wales & West staff saying everyone has been super helpful, which is good to hear.”

Ms Voaden said the utility company needed to visit every house affected to turn their supply off and then on again once it was deemed safe. 

Councillor Julian Brazil, who represents Kingsbridge on Devon County Council, said: “This is a difficult time, but our community always pulls together.

“The resilience and kindness shown by local people is incredible – please keep checking on neighbours and make sure anyone who needs help gets in touch.”

Councillor Simon Rake, the deputy leader of South Hams District Council, added his thanks to the area’s residents, councils, volunteers and community groups “for checking on neighbours”

“And for your patience while engineers carry out the safety checks needed to restore supply,” he added.

“I would also like to thank our officers for stepping in to assist in many different ways over the past few days.”

Wales and West Utilities confirmed yesterday (Monday 5 January) it had reached more than 90 percent of the 4,600 properties impacted by the leak and gas supply has begun being restored in Marlborough and Kingsbridge.

However, there have been anecdotal reports that restoring supplies in Salcombe could be more problematic because of the large number of holiday homes in the town.

Gaining access to these could require contacting people who do not live nearby, or finding out who the local representative is that looks after the property.

If you are a vulnerable resident in the area, or know someone who is, you can call Wales & West Utilities on 0800 912 2999 to arrange support.