Legal Help Please National Grid Right of Access to Land

The_Shadow

National grid via a contractor have been replacing old gas mains and gas suppies to houses on an estate.

I live in a semi detached house and have no issues with the new gas supply that has been laid underground to my property.

The problem is that i have issue with, is that the contractor has without my knowledege and permission dug up my front lawn and laid a new gas main to supply my neighbours house next door.

I have asked for the gas supply feeding my neighbours house to be removed from my garden. I am now being told by the contractor that i will have to pay to have it moved.

I deffidently want the gas supply moving as i will become resposible for it if it gets damaged

I also own the freehold for the land where the gas main has been laid.

I believe the contractor tresspassed my land to lay the gas supply without my knowledge and permission.

The reiensatment of my garden also took longer than the stipulated 5 days

Any help or advice would be very much appreciated

The shadow

lemontart

How is it likely to become damaged if underground ?

Do you have gas to your property?

Where was the original supply pipe to your neighbors?

Regarding the delay in restatement of garden it is 5 working days so have you allowed for bank holidays etc - you will need to raise that issue with the civil engineering company that are doing the works as to regards to any delays over that.

The_Shadow

lemontart wrote: »

How is it likely to become damaged if underground ?

Do you have gas to your property?

Where was the original supply pipe to your neighbors?



Regarding the delay in restatement of garden it is 5 working days so have you allowed for bank holidays etc - you will need to raise that issue with the civil engineering company that are doing the works as to regards to any delays over that.

The general point i was making was are National Grid within their rights legally dug up your garden to lay a gas supply to another property with your knowledge and permission.

Its taken more than 8 working days excluding bank holidays to reinstate my garden

I will be taking the reinsatment issue up with National Grid.

The gas supply has been laid very shallow 375mm cover over pipe. i will be constructing a new drive into my house which will be over the top of the gas supply. i could damage the pipe during construction.

Yes a new gas supply has been provided to my house, i have no issues at all with my supply.

I have not seen the record drawings showing the location of the origional gas supply to my neighbours property

lemontart

You need to take up the reinstatement of garden with the civil engineering company doing the work on behalf of ng as it is their responsibility to meet the standards of service laid down in their contract - any contact would be passed on to them to investigate the work of their staff. The same would go regarding the service pipe and yes there is a right of access to deal with the pipes,

You will need to contact this for the appropriate information Dial Before You Dig / Plant Protection



National Grid is committed to operating gas pipelines and electricity cables in a safe and reliable way with the minimum of inconvenience to communities.
If you are planning works anywhere in Great Britain you should call Plant Protection for free on 0800 688 588* at least 14 days in advance.
Alternatively you can make contact by:

• Emailing [EMAIL="plantprotection@nationalgrid.com"]plantprotection@nationalgrid.com[/EMAIL]

The_Shadow

lemontart wrote: »

You need to take up the reinstatement of garden with the civil engineering company doing the work on behalf of ng as it is their responsibility to meet the standards of service laid down in their contract - any contact would be passed on to them to investigate the work of their staff. The same would go regarding the service pipe and yes there is a right of access to deal with the pipes,

You will need to contact this for the appropriate information Dial Before You Dig / Plant Protection

National Grid is committed to operating gas pipelines and electricity cables in a safe and reliable way with the minimum of inconvenience to communities.
If you are planning works anywhere in Great Britain you should call Plant Protection for free on 0800 688 588* at least 14 days in advance.
Alternatively you can make contact by:


[EMAIL="plantprotection@nationalgrid.com"]plantprotection@nationalgrid.com[/EMAIL]
Surely National Grid dont have any access rghts to come on to your private land dig up your front lawn , and provide a gas supply to the house next door without your permission and knowledge ?.

lemontart

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/consumer_e/consumer_energy_and_water_supply_e/consumer_energy_supply_e/consumer_energy_and_your_home_e/consumer_energy_work_e/can_an_energy_company_access_or_dig_up_your_property_for_mains_works_.htm

also see gas act 1996,

The location of a new service pipe depends on location of main in relation to property and other issues such as water pipes etc the op would be best advised to speak to those putting in the pipes as they would have the plans of the mains for the area and advise on this case as every one has it;s variables

Also they would have know they were replacing all the supply pipes in street, and with out knowing precise details it is hard to know why it has to go that route,

The_Shadow

lemontart wrote: »

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/consumer_e/consumer_energy_and_water_supply_e/consumer_energy_supply_e/consumer_energy_and_your_home_e/consumer_energy_work_e/can_an_energy_company_access_or_dig_up_your_property_for_mains_works_.htm

also see gas act 1996,

The location of a new service pipe depends on location of main in relation to property and other issues such as water pipes etc the op would be best advised to speak to those putting in the pipes as they would have the plans of the mains for the area and advise on this case as every one has it;s variables

Also they would have know they were replacing all the supply pipes in street, and with out knowing precise details it is hard to know why it has to go that route,

Hi The gas main to the property has been installed, the contractor has taken the esay route and laid the pipe accross my lawn. there was no reason why a connection could have not been taken from the gas main in the pavement to the house next door. It just beggars belief why they did it without any consulting me.

ic

Did the neighbour's existing supply run across your garden? How much land has been dug up?

The_Shadow

ic wrote: »

Did the neighbour's existing supply run across your garden? How much land has been dug up?

Thanks for your responce

From what i have been told by the contractor, my neighbours gas supply did run across my lawn, but there are no gas record drawings in existance to prove it.

Basically the gas supply routes from the pavement and enters my garden @ 90 deg then cuts accross my lawn @ 45 deg. A trench about 25 meters long has been cut right through my lawn. The gas supply has been laid shallow @ 375mm minimum depth.

If i accept my neighbours gas supply in my garden i will become resonsible for it.

Cknocker

Firstly, no you will never be responsible for the pipe UNLESS you damage it where you will be responsible or the damage you have caused.

Secondly you do not need to talk to the contractor, they are nothing to do with you, they are an agent for National Grid and their responsibility, any problems you have with them are ultimately down to National Grid to sort out.

With regards to rights to enter your land and lay a pipe across it this is a slightly grey area and you need to check the deeds of your property which MAY give them such a right especially if the existing service to your next door neighbour is shown on your land on your deeds.

Generally speaking though utilities do not have a right to install pipes or cables across land without either a wayleave or easement in place and as such if there is none in place you are within your rights to demand they move it or take them to court to have an injunction served forcing them to move it.

In any event to come onto your land and dig up your garden without consultation is pretty poor form and if I was you I would complain and complain some more.

Wywth

The_Shadow wrote: »

The general point i was making was are National Grid within their rights legally dug up your garden to lay a gas supply to another property with your knowledge and permission.

Its taken more than 8 working days excluding bank holidays to reinstate my garden

I will be taking the reinsatment issue up with National Grid.

The gas supply has been laid very shallow 375mm cover over pipe. i will be constructing a new drive into my house which will be over the top of the gas supply. i could damage the pipe during construction.

Yes a new gas supply has been provided to my house, i have no issues at all with my supply.

I have not seen the record drawings showing the location of the origional gas supply to my neighbours property

It's done now.

How does asking NG to come back and dig up your garden again help things? :huh: