If block of flats goes bang, remember, we warned you

Published: 21 April, 2011

• WHEN I read Martin Rutherford’s letter and related article (‘Lives are in danger’ alert over estate’s new gas pipes, April 15), I was torn between empathy and jealousy. 

What we share with residents of Popham 1 estate are serious concerns about gas safety or, rather, risk of explosion and danger to life and property. 

Unlike the Popham 1 estate, merely 37 years old, Spa Green estate is 63 years old (National Grid says the pipes should be replaced after 50 years). Unlike Popham 1 estate, which has, it appears, no demonstrable history of gas leaks on main risers, Spa Green estate has had three gas leaks on the risers, which have needed emergency replacing, in less than two years. 

This equates to 50 per cent of the gas risers on the two eight-storey blocks on Spa Green estate (Wells House and Tunbridge House). So, no need for the workers who have downed tools at the Popham 1 estate to sit around until the differences between officials and residents are resolved. There is plenty for Homes for Islington (HfI) and National Grid to get on with here at Spa Green, which, mercifully, is not complicated by the routing of electrical cabling.

We contacted National Grid about our concerns and it said we should contact HfI’s gas safety management team (GSMT), which is National Grid’s contact for Islington estates. We contacted HfI’s GSMT following the most recent of the gas leaks (January this year) and were told by HfI that National Grid draws up its own programme for pipework replacement. 

HfI advised that if it carried out the work itself it would have to pay (and recharge leaseholders) but if National Grid carried out the work there would be no recharge to residents. Beyond this, HfI just regurgitated the same advice that is given in relation to gas generally – “if you smell gas, call National Grid”. 

Our fundamental point to HfI and National Grid is that, with 50 per cent of the mains in the high-rise blocks failing in the last two years, we’d rather not wait until someone else smells gas or, rather, doesn’t.

If, in the meantime, one of the blocks does go pop/whoosh/bang and crash, and there is damage to life and property, I hope those responsible for our safety are prepared to admit they were advised of the dangers and simply passed the buck rather than protect public safety.

LUCINDA BOWERS
Committee member, Spa Green Management Organisation
EC1