Gas Mains

[Scott94]

My sister has just started work on an extension on her 50 year old house. Transco maps (which were checked) showed Gas main 0.5m outside her boundary. When digging commenced main was found 1m inside her boundary where the extension is to go. Transco have said under the 10 year rule it is her responsibility and she will have to pay £5.5k to move it. This has now stopped all work and she now faces additional fees on top of this.
Does any one know where I can find info on this 10 year rule, and does the fact the Transco maps are wrong help her at all?

Thanks

 

[JohnD]

I don't know, BUT get her to write to National Grid (as it is now), Wayleaves office, say she has reason to believe there is a gas main on her land and ask them to provide her with a copy of the wayleave which permits them to run a pipe under her property.

From my knowledge of Utility companies, they will be unable to find it.

She will probably end up having to consult a solicitor but may as wel start with the Citizens Advice Bureau.

 

[bernardgreen]

Small possibility that she could be entitled to payment for the wayleave ( or tresspass ) that put the gas main under her property.

Which could be a bargaining point to have it moved for free.

 

[Stulz]

It might also be worth her while talking to here neighbours and seeing if they are willing to have a survey done to see if the main also passes under their properties. If it does, then perhaps they can stand together as one, thus reducing any legal costs that may be encountered and perhaps force Transco to simply move the main back out into the public domain.

I have heard of this happeneing with Electrical suupplies and if memory serves, a water main, but gas is a different animal and the regulations will be different. I would suggest that the advice above about legal advise is followed. It would also likely help if they contact the Land Registry Office for their region and get copies of the original deeds for their property, just to be sure someone hasn't fouled up and built over an existing main when they should not have done. It would be embarrassing and costly to find this out at a later date.

 

[Softus]

See http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/LandandDevelopment/LO/

and http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/LandandDevelopment/LO/GasAgreements/

and http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/LandandDevelopment/LO/commitment/

and, particularly, http://www.nationalgrid.com/NR/rdon...8AD-B865-35F72A4D906A/4751/NGrid_Grantors.pdf

which says:

When constructing a new pipeline National Grid
requires landowners to enter into a permanent
easement. A package of terms and conditions has
been agreed with the Country Land and Business
Association (CLA), National Farmers’ Union (NFU),
and in Scotland the Scottish Rural Property and
Business Association (SRPBA) and National Farmers’
Union of Scotland (NFUS). A brief description of
the process is given below.

Consent Letter
[code:1]The signing of a Consent Letter and
ultimately the completion of a Deed
of Grant of Easement confers certain
rights and obligations upon all parties
concerned.

Our main concern is to construct and
operate the pipeline in a safe and
efficient manner and obligations upon the
landowners and occupiers are worded
chiefly with this in mind.

Landowners and occupiers have other
priorities that are mainly related to
minimum disruption during construction
and the future condition and profitability of
the land in question. We recognise these
concerns and have worded the Deed of
Grant of Easement, the Consent Letters
and the Letter of Undertaking accordingly.[/code:1]
_______________

See also
http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Networks/Ga...T Licences issued to Transco _05.11.04_1.pdf

 

[Gasguru]

Post on here http://www.gas-news.co.uk/index.html you may get some other suggestions.

 

[Agile]

There are two possibilities, the boundary may have been moved since the pipe was laid OR the pipe was always within the property without any wayleave.

Whilst NG may think there is some rule allowing them to keep a pipe on someone elses land I have never heard of that and until someone can quote the actual law then I will not assume there is one.

It may well be relevant what is the purpose of this gas pipe!!! Does it supply the property or any neighbour? There is a deemed wayleave when you apply for a supply of gas to be provided!

Tony