Twelve days without heat and I’m at end of my tether

• OUR house (containing seven flats) has been without gas for 12 days. We rely on gas for our heating, hot water and cooking. In other words, no heating for nearly two weeks despite snow and freezing temperatures.

The problem, we were told, is “water in the gas pipes”. Although this was supposed to be an emergency, the National Grid and its contractors have spent a maximum of four days working on the problem in the last 12. They have not been out to the house at all for many days at a time.

When we phone them we are usually told the problem has been fixed – not great when I’m staring at an enormous hole in the pavement, another one in our garden, and meters lying around our hallway disconnected from any sort of gas supply. Our neighbours have moved in with friends, my flatmate is ill and I’m at the end of my tether.

Last night, they were supposed to return the supply (one of many times) but there was still “no pressure”. Twelve days on, still no clue as to what the actual problem is or when it will be fixed.

NICK DEARDEN
N7