by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Claims have been made about poor and badly timed information over Monday’s gas leak in Fordington, Dorchester.
The leak was first reported at 6.30am with roads closed two hours later and residents from 31 properties, evacuated from their homes.
By Tuesday morning Holloway Road remained closed and a small number of homes closest to the leak site were still not able to be occupied.
Said the resident, who asked to remain anonymous: “I would like to challenge Dorset Council’s claims about the support and communication provided during the recent gas leak evacuation.
“Information about a rest centre was not made available until after 4pm, and it did not open until later. Residents were told a decision on whether they could return home or be offered hotel accommodation would not be made until 6pm, leaving families with young children facing hours of uncertainty. Despite requests for help, both SGN and the council said no support could be offered until a decision had been made.
When no update came at 6pm, SGN’s customer service had closed, the emergency line had no record of the incident, and the council’s out-of-hours service could offer no practical assistance beyond directing people to the rest centre.
Later that evening, residents were told they could return home despite there being no electricity and no indication of when power would be restored. Because they were allowed home, no further council support was offered. Those without family or friends to stay with were left to arrange and pay for their own accommodation.
It is therefore extremely frustrating to read claims that accommodation support was available, as that was not the experience of everyone affected.”
Dorset Council and SGN has been asked to comment on the claims.
