Work has been taking place to remove the final traces of water from gas lines in Leicestershire.
One year on from the widespread gas outage which affected more than 2,700 homes across Ratby and Kirby Muxloe, Cadent Gas have been checking to make sure any final droplets of water are eliminated from the gas network.
At the end of January 2024, a major incident was declared in the area with Leicestershire County Council working alongside partner agencies to support local residents, as well as warm spaces opening up across the area.
Cadent’s team worked throughout the period to pump more than 100,000 litres of water out of the gas pipes, restore gas to both villages, and to ensure that residents were supported in affected properties. They also provided more than 1,000 cookers and heating appliances for residents during whilst work took place.
Owing to the scale of water that entered the gas pipes, Cadent have continued to work in the area to remove residual water that remains in the Network. Even at the start of 2025, that work continues as Cadent seek to ensure that local residents do not have any additional issues with their gas supply.
“This incident was awful for residents of Ratby and parts of Kirby Muxloe, but it was fantastic to see the community come together so quickly, and so resolutely to support those in need.
“I’ve been working with residents and Cadent Gas to ensure that the community is supported, and Cadent have been proactive in ensuring that replacement boilers are installed by Severn Trent Water, and signpost residents if they’ve had any issues.
“I’m grateful to Cadent Gas for their quick work following the gas outage. They have been a tremendous support to our local community, and I’m pleased that they’re making sure that the final, tiny traces of water are eliminated from our system."
Person:Councillor Ozzy O’Shea, cabinet member for highways and transport who was personally affected and who represents Ratby on the County Council
Richard Sansom, Network Director for Cadent in the East Midlands, said: “Reflecting back to this time last year, I think it is fair to say that the scale of the incident we faced was mammoth. To have so many homes and businesses without gas in the middle of winter is something we hope never happens, but unfortunately it did.
“I am incredibly proud of the work that we did to restore gas supplies in Ratby and Kirby Muxloe. But I am even more proud – and grateful – for the way that the local community rallied round in support of each other, and also in support of our engineers who worked around the clock to get the issue dealt with.
“Just half an egg cup of water can stop a gas Network from working as it should. In Ratby and Kirby Muxloe, over 100,000 litres of water entered our pipes which demonstrates the scale of the issue. We have continued to work in the area to ensure that people’s gas supplies remain stable, and we will always be committed to the people of Ratby and Kirby Muxloe.”