Phoenix Gas response was poor after access problem

SIR, — Walking home this morning from Ballynahinch along Windmill Street I came across a sign announcing Phoenix Gas bringing the benefits of natural gas to County Down.

I thought your readers might like to hear of my experience with the benefits of Phoenix.

My wife and I arrived home from a short holiday to find our home and two others blocked on Saturday, June 3.

The contractor had left a large hole in the road with no way over it and barriers blocking access to three houses.

My neighbour had caught one of the contractors on Saturday evening and informed him of the problem, to be informed he would be back on Monday morning.

As two 72 year-olds with cases, you can imagine the struggle to get into my property. My wife is also disabled. The Phoenix phone number on the barriers is closed at weekends so contacting them is nigh on impossible.

I was forced to use the gas leak number, where a very kind man contacted the duty manager, who managed to get movement late Sunday morning.

I was forced to break the conditions of my insurance by leaving the car in the road, which led to a sleepless night as we have had a car stolen previously.

I have written to Phoenix Gas three times and still await a reply.

They sent a contractor to mouth platitudes — “lessons will be learned”, “so sorry”, “it was a new contractor” — but it was made quite plain “we don’t do compensation or goodwill gestures”, so in short, tough.

Incensed I contacted the guardians of the public, the Roads Service, and was told all about Phoenix Gas’s rights to dig up the road but my rights as a rate and tax payer were lacking. But don’t worry, I was told, we have a lady who liaises directly with Phoenix Gas who is off at the moment, but she will bring it up with them.

In conclusion, may I suggest a new slogan — Phoenix Gas coming to County Down to do what we like! When we like! How we like! And you’re going to pay for it. 

Aren’t we the lucky ones?

Yours etc,

FRANK SMITH,

Riverside Road, 

Ballynahinch.