Mind the gas
A businesswoman is worried that she faces financial ruin because of continuing gas works outside her shop.
Becky Brown, owner of Future Glow salon in Westgate, Cleckheaton, said the path and car park were regularly blocked by gas-works and vans used by the workers.
She said: “It’s been incredible bad luck – I opened Future Glow just after Christmas, and in the two weeks following, we were doing really well – we had plenty of footfall.
“But then, six weeks ago, the gas works started – I understand the need to do things like this, but it has now been six weeks, and they don’t seem to be doing anything.”
The works have affected the number of customers using her business, and Becky said she was frustrated at the lack of progress.
She said: “Some days I just want to cry because I feel powerless to do anything about it.
“There hardly ever seems to be people working on the site. Whenever I ask they tell me that there has been cold weather, which has damaged gas pipes and there are sites of higher priority elsewhere. It just feels like you get trampled on if you are a small business .”
Northern Gas Networks officer Amanda White said: “Unfortunately due to the depth of the excavations, it is necessary for health and safety reasons to place our vehicles as close to the working area as possible to facilitate the use of breathing apparatus for our engineers. We are aware that at times this may cause inconvenience, for which, we apologise.
“Due to the position of the gas mains and technical challenges associated with this location, it is not possible at this stage to say when this essential engineering work will be completed. We’d like to thank businesses in Westgate for their understanding and co-operation and apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
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Weather for Mirfield
Monday 20 May 2013
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