Social landlord Coast & Country is working in partnership with the north of England’s gas distributer, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), and Community Energy Solutions (CES) on a project to deliver fully funded gas connections to support the installation of a modern heating system to 44 properties in Skelton-in-Cleveland.

The £90,000 investment is part of NGN’s continued commitment to helping to tackle fuel poverty, which currently affects around 400,000* homes in Yorkshire, the North East and northern Cumbria, and will see all tenants benefiting from new gas central heating, including energy efficient gas condensing combi boilers and radiators, by Christmas.

NGN began work to install new gas connections in October in the properties in Whitby Close, which are managed by Coast & Country, which included installing a total of around 280 metres of new gas mains to connect the previously off-gas homes to the gas network.

The majority of tenants have opted for the new gas heating system to replace the old electric storage heaters which were inefficient and expensive to run. The new gas central heating system is expected to reduce CO2 emissions, whilst lowering fuel bills.

Mr Richardson, a Coast & Country tenant living in Skelton said: “We were in two minds when it came to getting the new gas installation, but the decision to switch was the best we’ve made. It’s really convenient, so much more efficient and it gives us the control and real warmth we want. The team that carried out the installation were fantastic and I cannot praise them enough, they were friendly, quick and didn’t leave an ounce of mess. Quite frankly we’re over the moon.”

Chris Brown, Coast & Country’s Installation Team Leader, said: “This important project will benefit tenants in a number of different ways and will also have a positive effect on the environment.

“A reduction in household running costs can contribute towards reducing the incidence and severity of fuel poverty and the new heating systems will be not only more cost-effective but will also provide far more efficient heating solutions.”

Tom Bell, Head of Social Strategy at Northern Gas Networks said: “We’re delighted to be working with Coast & Country, and our partner, Community Energy Solutions, to help residents in Skelton access affordable heating solutions for the first time.  Wefeel passionately about helping households improve their home energy efficiency and take greater control of their finances.  By connecting homes to our gas network and giving customers access to more affordable energy solutions we hope to make life more comfortable for those who live in off-gas areas.”

Lee Cattermole, Programme Director at CES, said: “These residents of Whitby Close now have access to controllable, whole-house, efficient gas central heating – and in time for winter. This project with Coast & Country is the latest in a line of gas network extension schemes resulting from the successful partnership between all parties involved.”

NGN delivers gas to 2.7 million homes and businesses across the North of England and provides the region’s rapid response service for customers who smell gas at home or work. NGN operates in nine areas including North Riding from its yard in Harrogate and depots in York and Scarborough, where it employs around 100 people.

CES is a regulated not for profit Community Interest Company which works alongside social housing providers and other organisations assisting development, driving innovation and delivery methods to achieve lower carbon emissions, increased affordable warmth and improved building performance.

NGN is helping to create warmer, more environmentally friendly homes which are easier and cheaper to heat by providing free or discounted gas connections for customers who are struggling financially.  If you think that you or someone you know may qualify for a free gas connection or be entitled to funding for a new heating system, and other related support, call Community Energy Solutions on 0113 272 7330.

Our opening times will change during the Christmas period and we’ll return to normal hours (Monday – Friday, 8am – 6pm) on Monday 5th January.

We’d like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Monday 22^nd December – 8am till 4.30pm

Tuesday 23^rd December – 8am till 4.30pm

Wednesday 24^th December – 8am till 12 noon

Christmas Day – CLOSED

Boxing Day – CLOSED

Monday 29^th December – 8am till 4.30pm

Tuesday 30^th December – 8am till 4.30pm

Wednesday 31^st December – 8am till 12 noon

New Year’s Day – CLOSED

Friday 2^nd January 2015 – CLOSED

Northern Gas Networks is investing £110,000 to upgrade the ageing gas distribution network in Old Snydale, Pontefract.

The major project is part of NGN’s ongoing development of infrastructure across the north of England and will involve replacing 1.5km of existing metal gas mains with more durable plastic pipes to ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to our customers in the area for years to come.

The project will commence on Monday 5 January in New Road Old Snydale and will be carried out in phases to minimise disruption. The work is scheduled for completion in April 2015.

John Pickering, Customer Operations Area Manager, Northern Gas Networks said; “We’ve planned our work closely with the Highways Department to minimise disruption to motorists, residents and local businesses.”

In order to carry out this work safely and efficiently, it will be necessary to close Church Lane for approximately three weeks from Monday 5th January 2015.

It will also be necessary to install temporary two way traffic lights on New Road for the duration of the project.

Businesses in the area will remain open as usual and pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.

Mr Pickering said, “We are holding a community forum at The Cross Keys Inn between 4pm-6pm on 18^th December 2014.Our Customer Care and Operations team will be on hand to answer any questions from members of the public.

“We will also continue to keep customers informed via our website, Twitter and Facebook accounts and the local media.”

Mr Pickering added; “We would like to take this opportunity to apologise in advance for any inconvenience this essential work may cause and thank members of the public for their patience and support.”

If you have any questions about the works please don’t hesitate to contact the Customer Care team on 0845 634 0508, option 7. The team is available between 8am and 10pm Monday to Friday, and 9am and 5pm on Saturday.

Our engineers are on site in the BD17 area of Bradford this evening (December 3), in response to reports of low gas pressure.

We are investigating, and will resolve the issue as quickly as we can.

Our apologies for any inconvenience.

The north of England’s gas distributer, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), has been awarded the Customer Focus Award at the National Business Awards 2014. This follows hot on the heels of the organisation scooping six gold awards at the UK Customer Experience Awards in October, illustrating that for NGN the customer is indeed king.

The annual National Business Awards ceremony celebrates organisations that demonstrate the link between customer service and good business practices. Mark Horsley, Chief Executive Officer, Northern Gas Networks said of the award win: “Providing an exceptional customer service is something that is very important to us. Over the last few years we’ve been working hard to transform our business into a genuinely customer focused operation. These successes are a direct result of the hard work our employees and colleagues have put into this transformation and we are incredibly proud to win this award.

“We were up against some tough competition including Samsung Electronics, Arriva, Churchill and Transport for London. ITV and Ikea were other winners on the evening and winning demonstrates that not only is the approach working, but that Northern Gas Networks is setting the pace for customer service, not just in the utility sector, but outside of our industry too.”

The National Business Awards judges said: “Transforming average service into great customer service takes a brilliant team, a smart strategy and impressive implementation. Northern Gas Networks excelled every step of the way and as a direct result leaped to the top of the league tables whilst delivering sustainable tangible business benefits, excellent customer experiences and terrific staff engagement.”

Last week the company was shortlisted for seven awards at the Institute of Customer Service’s UK Customer Satisfaction Awards including the Inmoment Customer Commitment Award and the Customer Satisfaction Innovation of the Year Award, where it will be competing against tough competition including leading brands such as Direct Line Group, BMW and Marks and Spencer.  The winners will be announced in March.

NGN delivers gas to 2.7 million homes and businesses across the North of England and provides the region’s rapid response service for customers who smell gas at home or work.

Northern Gas Networks is investing £175,000 to upgrade the ageing gas distribution network in Horbury, Wakefield.

The major project is part of NGN’s ongoing development of infrastructure across the north of England and will involve replacing 1.5km of existing metal gas mains with more durable plastic pipes to ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to our customers in the area for years to come.

The project will commence on Monday 5 January and will be carried out in phases to minimise disruption. The work is scheduled for completion in April 2015.

John Pickering, Customer Operations Area Manager, Northern Gas Networks said; “We’ve planned our work closely with the Highways Department to minimise disruption to motorists, residents and local businesses.”

As part of this project, Northern Gas Networks will be working in the following streets:

Tithe Barn Street

Westfield Road

Jenkin Road

Laburnum Grove

Medlock Road

Victoria Street

In order to carry out this work safely and efficiently, it will be necessary to use three way traffic signals at the junction of Jenkin Road and Tithe Barn Street for approximately three weeks from Monday 5 January.

There will also be a road closure in place on Manor Road from Monday 19 January to Monday 2 February 2015.

Businesses in the area will remain open as usual and access for deliveries will be maintained.

Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.

Mr Pickering said, “We are holding a community forum at St Peter’s Church, Church Street, Horbury between 3 – 6pm on Wednesday 26 November. Our Customer Care and Operations team will be on hand to answer any questions from members of the public.

“We will also continue to keep customers informed via our website, Twitter and Facebook accounts and the local media.”

Mr Pickering added; “We would like to take this opportunity to apologise in advance for any inconvenience this essential work may cause and thank members of the public for their patience and support.”

If you have any questions about the works please don’t hesitate to contact the Customer Care team on 0845 634 0508, option 7. The team is available between 8am and 10pm Monday to Friday, and 9am and 5pm on Saturday.

Engineers from Northern Gas Networks are carrying out emergency work on a gas escape in North Road, Stokesley, North Yorkshire and will have to temporarily close the road to allow these essential repairs to be completed.

The closure will come into force tomorrow morning (Tuesday) at 8am near to the junction with Stokesley High Street. Access to North Road can be gained via Allen Road, following the diversion put in place.

NGN are working closely with North Yorkshire Council to minimize any impact on residents and businesses and hope to reopen the road by Saturday evening (29th November).

The bus stop on North Road will also be suspended and members of the pubic will be asked to use bus stops in Allen Grove or High Street.

Footpaths and parking in the area will not be affected.

NGN engineers have been on site since Thursday identifying the leak and mending the pipe after a customer reported a smell of gas. They now need to close the road to carry out work to replace a section of the pipe

Steve Pigott, emergency officer for NGN said: “We would like to reassure the public that the situation has been made safe and we apologise for any inconvenience caused while this repair work is carried out.

“The gas supply to customers in the area has not been affected.

“If you smell gas you should call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 immediately, your call will be answered at any time of day or night and an engineer will be sent out to assess the situation promptly.”

Northern Gas Networks cracks down on the silent killer

Northern Gas Networks (NGN), the North of England’s gas distributor is supporting a national week which aims to raise awareness of the dangers of Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning, a dangerous gas which is difficult to detect because you can’t see, smell or taste it.

Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week 2014, which takes place this week (17– 23 November), is designed to educate people about the dangers of this silent killer, which is responsible for more than 50 deaths in the United Kingdom every year*.

To mark the week NGN has released data about the number of CO related gas emergencies responded to in its region, which covers northern Cumbria, the North East and much of Yorkshire.

Since April NGN’s emergency teams have made safe over 300 properties following a CO related incident of which 142 of these customers were living in the Yorkshire area and 102 in Tyne and Wear.

Chris Nevison, Customer Operations Area Manager, Leeds said: “Our emergency teams are on the streets 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, responding to calls to the National Gas Emergency number, making properties safe and briefing customers on their doorsteps about the dangers of CO and the tell-tale signs and symptoms.

He continued: “Since April our Emergency teams have responded to 142 CO related gas emergencies in Yorkshire.  In many cases the customers had no idea that they were being potentially exposed to CO.  That’s why we’re focused on working to not only protect customers against the dangers of this harmful gas, but to educate the wider public about CO safety through a range of initiatives.

NGN is helping to protect the public from the silent killer through a range of awareness initiatives which include dedicated projects as well as part of its day to day work.  These include iCOP, an innovative smartphone app aimed at 18-24 year olds living in rented accommodation, which has recently been nominated for the Community Awareness Campaign Award at the Yorkshire & Lincolnshire CIPR PRide Awards.

Other initiatives include a CO education programme for Key Stage 3 pupils, which is delivered in schools by NGN colleagues and is linked closely to the National Curriculum, as well as educational briefings which are delivered to customers in their homes.

Tom Bell, Head of Social Strategy, Northern Gas Networks, said: “CO Awareness Week is an important way of raising awareness of this harmful gas.  Many people aren’t aware of the potential dangers of CO, with only 12%**of the UK having an audible CO alarm. It’s important that people know the signs of CO poisoning and how to stay safe when they are at home or outdoors. You can find more information about the signs, symptoms and steps to take to ensure you and your family stay safe by taking a look at our animated CO infographic, on our website – northerngasnetworks.co.uk.”

NGN engineers will be carrying information and leaflets on CO to give to customers throughout the week.

Anyone who smells gas or suspects CO should call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.

Engineers from Northern Gas Networks are carrying out work on an emergency gas escape in the Belmont area of Durham .

Belmont Road is closed in both directions  between the junction at the entrance to Belmont Business Park and the roundabout leading onto Broomside Lane to allow essential repairs to be completed. Diversions have been put in place.

Northern Gas Networks network officer, Andy Coates, apologised for any inconvenience experienced while the essential gas works are carried out.

He said: “We’d like to apologise to motorists and will endeavour to reopen the road as soon as possible. Safety is our number one priority and we’d like to thank the public for their cooperation.”

Engineers from Northern Gas Networks are carrying out essential repair work on an ageing metal gas main on the A62 Leeds Road in Huddersfield to ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to customers in the area.

In order to carry out this work safely and efficiently, it has been necessary to close one lane of traffic. 

Patrick Horton, network officer for Northern Gas Networks, said: “We have teams on site today and tomorrow and we would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused while we complete this essential work. We know that no one likes roadworks and our engineers are working hard to complete the work as soon as possible to minimise any disruption caused.”

For more information about the works contact Northern Gas Networks’ Customer Care team on 0845 634 0508, option 7. The team is available between 8am and 10pm Monday to Friday, and 8.30am and 5pm on Saturday.

Anyone who smells gas should call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.