Residents and voluntary groups in Kingsbridge, Salcombe and Malborough are being asked to check on neighbours who may be vulnerable following a major gas outage during freezing weather.
The outage occurred on Saturday afternoon when a third party damaged a gas main. Around 4,600 properties have been affected. Wales & West Utilities has deployed more than 100 engineers, repaired the damage and is starting to restore services. All affected properties must be visited twice before gas can be restored – once to turn off the supply and again to turn it back on after repairs. Residents are strongly urged to be at home when engineers call or leave a reply card if absent.
Warm packs, including blankets, hot water bottles and electric heaters, are being distributed to customers on the Wales & West Utilities’ Priority Services Register – a record of more vulnerable residents. Devon County Council’s social care teams are working with Wales & West, South Hams District Council and town and parish councils to ensure that vulnerable residents who are not on the register are also kept warm and safe.
The council and its partners are appealing to residents, community groups and the voluntary sector for help in identifying customers who may have been made vulnerable by the outage who may not be on the register.
If you know someone who may need extra help, please encourage them to contact Wales & West Utilities on 0800 912 2999 so support can be arranged.
Council leader Julian Brazil, who represents Kingsbridge, said:
“This is a difficult time, but our community always pulls together. The resilience and kindness shown by local people is incredible – please keep checking on neighbours and make sure anyone who needs help gets in touch.”
Cllr Simon Rake, Deputy Leader of South Hams District Council, said:
“Thank you to our South Hams’ residents, town and parish councils, volunteers and community groups for checking on neighbours and for your patience while engineers carry out the safety checks needed to restore supply. I would also like to thank our officers for stepping in to assist in many different ways over the past few days. We continue to work closely with Wales & West Utilities and partners to support our residents so supply can be restored safely.”
Residents are reminded to keep warm safely: never use barbecues, camping stoves or generators indoors, and watch for signs of hypothermia such as shivering, cold and dry skin, or confusion. For health concerns, call NHS 111 or 999 in an emergency.
Devon County Council is working with care homes, schools and local teams to ensure key routes remain clear and vulnerable residents are supported. Five schools due to reopen after the Christmas break – Kingsbridge Primary, Kingsbridge Community College, West Alvington Primary, Malborough Primary and Salcombe Primary – may be affected. Parents and carers should monitor communications from schools and the council’s website for updates.
South Hams District Council officers continue to be available in the affected areas to help signpost residents to any support they may require.
Further updates will be available on Wales & West Utilities’ and Devon County Council’s websites.
Key contact numbers
- Wales & West Utilities (support & supply queries): 0800 912 2999
- Wales & West ID verification line: 0800 316 0478
- National Gas Emergency: 0800 111 999 (if you smell gas)
- NHS 111: for non-emergency health advice
- 999: in an emergency