‘Lives are in danger’ alert over Popham estate’s new gas pipes

Published: 15th April, 2011
by PAVAN AMARA

LIVES are being put in danger because gas and electricity pipes are being installed too close together, residents on an Islington estate have warned.

One 91-year-old is so concerned about the danger she has threatened to chain herself to the Popham estate’s security gates if the work goes ahead.

The pipes are being installed within a few centimetres of each other, despite nationwide electricity provider GTC’s “Gas and Safety Guidelines”, which state: “The minimum distance from a riser to electric cables must be 25cm.”

Martin Rutherford, secretary of Popham Estate Tenants’ and Residents’ Association, said: “This may well be illegal. But what’s certain is that it is not safe. 

“Lives could be in danger if this goes ahead. Homes for Islington keep saying there is no chance any of the piping will leak, but that’s just not true. How can anyone anywhere guarantee no leaks? If that was the case, the BP oil leak never would have happened.

“These pipes are being installed right above our doors. All the doors have vents, so if anything ever went wrong, guess what? It would be goodbye to everyone on the estate.” 

He added: “The fact is they are more concerned with how much money it will cost than doing it safely. To do it properly they would have to dig up a lot of the walkways and install the piping underneath the ground. But they’ve neglected our walkways for such a long time that it would cost them a lot. 

“They would rather the people here live among potential danger than spend more money on us.”

A spokesman for HfI said: “We believe the distance between electric and gas pipes is 25 millimetres and not centimetres. HfI ensures all electrical and gas work is undertaken to nationally approved standards and would never compromise residents’ safety. 

“We have arranged further meetings with the tenants’ association to agree a programme of works for National Grid. Work has been suspended on site while we consult with residents.”

Residents claim that Homes for Islington (HfI), which employs sub-contractors to carry out the work, held a meeting on “the snowiest day of the year”. They say it decided along with sub-contractors to fit electric and gas pipes externally, despite only three residents being able to attend the meeting due to the bad weather. 

Eileen Nolan, 91, has warned she will chain herself to the estate’s security gates if the work goes ahead.

“What frightens me is that it’s actually dangerous,” she said. “They say they won’t leak, but the kids will probably start playing games on the piping or hanging off them. Not because they’re yobs, like people at the top will probably think, but because the kids here have lots of energy.” 

She believes people will hang flower baskets on the “hideous” pipes to make them look better. “And they really think there’s no chance a crack could develop in them? We could all be left to breathe in the fumes,” she said.

At a March 17 meeting residents unanimously objected to the work, forcing HfI to declare it would stop until a decision is made at an April 26 meeting.