Forced gas meter reloaction. Threatened with disconnection. Advice please

dave_uk_5

Hi,

Last week my wife saw a workman spraying lines on the pavement outside our driveway so we called the company he was from and were told that they were going to upgrade the gas supply pipes in our road and that we should have been given 3 months notice in writing which of course we were not (neither were our neighbours).

Today a workman knocked at the door and asked to look at our gas meter. He then told us that they were going to relocate the meter to the front external wall of our house and would need to run a gas pipe all the way round to the rear of our house and possible internally as well. I have had a look at what they have done a few houses down and it looks dreadfull. There is a VERY large white plastic box containing the meter and a large bore copper pipe running right down the side of the house. Its looks so bad that I think it would even devalue our house. Also, as our driveway is only just large enough to park our 2 cars on we would lose a parking space because of the size of the meter.

We told they workman that we were not happy with what they are suggesting and he has told me that If we dont let then carry out the work they will disconnect our gas supply next thursday. This would be especially bad as we have a 9 month old baby in the house.

I understand that this work may have to be done but surely they have to be sympathetic to the look of my property?

I contacted consumer direct but they weren't very helpfull and said they couldnt do anything to help.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Dave.

Cardew

Can they not have the box high enough so that it is above your car, or around the back of your house?

ariba10

If is any consolation to you, you can paint it any colour you like.

If it should get damaged at all during its lifetime you will be expected to bear the cost of replacement.

bigstevex

surely there's a complaints procedure with who ever is doing it?

can a utility company legally refuse to supply if you don't accept their bully tactics?

spiro

You dont say which company he was from or who they were working on behalf of as they may just be subbies. Have you been given any explaination as to why the meter has to be moved? You say they are going to move it to the front external wall, is it inside at the back now? If so this is probably so that the meter can be access (a) at the front and (b) without needing access into the house. As suggest ask if they can fit it on the side (at the front) in there is open access.

Premier_2

dave_uk wrote: »

...I contacted consumer direct but they weren't very helpfull and said they couldnt do anything to help...

Call them back and if they still can't help you directly, ask them for details of who can.

They are a government funded organisation. i.e. we all pay for them via our taxes. It is their job to advise you, or at least inform you of where you can get informed advice from.

If you still get no luck, make an official complaint.

http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/about/complaints-policy/

spiro

spiro wrote: »

You dont say which company he was from or who they were working on behalf of as they may just be subbies. Have you been given any explaination as to why the meter has to be moved? You say they are going to move it to the front external wall, is it inside at the back now? If so this is probably so that the meter can be access (a) at the front and (b) without needing access into the house. As suggest ask if they can fit it on the side (at the front) in there is open access.

Forget to add that by moving the meter to the front they then are no longer responsible for another 3, 6, 9 12 feet of pipework as everything after the meter is your responsibility.

Pssst

They may be moving your meter to the front because perhaps your existing incomig service extends underneath your property in some way either buried in the concrete ground floor or else running under the suspended wooden floor? Perhaps you could clarify?

Anyway if thats the case,it will be due to a safety issue, i.e you cant have a live gas main running inside your house!

If the meter MUST be relocated then perhaps they could resite it in one of these?
http://www.meterboxes.co.uk/content/METERBOXESmeterboxes.asp?TypeID=1&CatID=23

Scroll down to model G60032
If so,you will also need a special TVI meter to go in this box as your existing one wont fit. Perhaps you could post a pic of your existing service entry position for evaluation?