Renewal of Gas Supply - confused!

Tahiti

I have just got home and found a photocopied note from Southern Gas Networks and Morrison saying they will be removing the gas pipe to my property on Tuesday.

The whole of my "frontage" is covered with slightly faded (but uniform/good condition) red tarmac, and the area leading to my meter (behind the garage door) is concrete and tarmac.

Due to separating from my wife, we are going to be forced to sell the property, and we all know how important first impressions are! They will never be able to get a match (or anywhere near a match) so what can I do to minimise the problems?

Can I insist that if they dig a trench, they replace the whole frontage?
Can I stop them from replacing the pipe if I wanted to?

I assume that if I allow them onto the property to complete the work, I've effectively given them permission to do what they like and I'm just a bit concerned. The note says "excavations will be permanently reinstated soon after the completion of the service renewal work. Every effort will be made to match the existing surfaces, however this cannot be guaranteed..."

Any helpful guidance would be really appreciated (especially from anyone who does this kind of contract work).

Neighbours further up the road have been without access to their drives for well over a week now, and I can cope with this as a one off. I just want to ensure that first impressions are not ruined by these unrequested works.

Thanks for any help or guidance you can give!

Garz

Ring up the contact and ask to speak to the morrison site manager or equivelent to begin arrangements. Other than that you could always ask the men currently doing the work to the street till you get someone in the heirachy chain who can assist with the questions you need answering.

Cardew

I would put in writing your concerns now, and take plenty of photos(send with letter if enough time)

The problem is that if you refuse to let them carry out the work, they will probably disconnect you; giving safety as the raeson.

In any case, when selling, you are bound by law to declare matters like they will be digging up your drive soon.

Tahiti

Thanks for your thoughts. I'll get in contact.

They don't give much prior warning (note through the door yesterday/digging up the driveway and expecting access to everything Tuesday). I haven't quite figures out how they're going to get access without me being there (which I can't be on the day) either.

dennis_the_menace_2

Hi, all.
Whichever Contract Company it is, and irrespective of which Utility they are Working on the Behalf of, the following Applies. All Excavated Ground MUST be Returned to it's original Condition. This means that if your Drive has Say, Green Tarmac, then Green Tarmac has to be used for the reinstatement. Unfortunately this doesn't mean a Completely new Drive and it does mean that there will be "Scar" along the Drive, and in the Concrete. The Main Problem that we have is Matching Weathered Tarmac, Black on Black is Bad, but coloured is a Nightmare. Without knowing exactly why they need to Replace the Service Pipe I don't know whether or not you have a Choice, my guess is is that it is a mains re-newel program and must be done. It may be, that they could "Mole" the Service. This means that they would bore under the Drive then thread the Pipe in, try asking the Team Leader or discussing your concerns with the Contracting Company. Finally please bear in mind that we Don't deliberately try to cause inconvenience and only carry work when necessary.
D.M. Engineering Officer. N/G.