Broadband pole work causes gas escape in Beverley

The pipe was damaged on 11 March, causing a gas escape.

Residents in Beverley have spoken of "smelling gas" after work to install broadband poles damaged a gas pipe near their homes.

The gas escape affected the neighbourhood in Beverley Parklands on 11 March.

Engineers from Northern Gas Networks said it was caused “accidentally” by a third party and supplies were not affected.

Connexin, the broadband company installing the poles, said the cause was "under investigation".

The infrastructure is being installed across Hull and East Yorkshire to offer people more choice of broadband provider.

Scott Kitchingman, business operations manager at Northern Gas Networks said: "Engineers made the situation safe and are working hard to repair the pipe as quickly as possible."

Mr Kitchingmam also said there had been "no impact" on gas supplies to homes and businesses.

A spokesman for Connexin said: "Repairs have been carried out to ensure that the area is safe and any disruption to supply is kept to a minimum.

"We are unable to say more while the cause is under investigation.”

Jonathan Singleton said there was "no need" for the broadband poles in Beverley

Jonathan Singleton, 60, an IT consultant who works from home, said: "You can smell the gas. My daughter was complaining of the smell in her room last night.

"People aren't happy about the poles, obviously because they're a bit of an eyesore and there's no need for them.

"It's the lack of consultation - they just come and there's nothing you can do about it."

Jim Allen said it was only a matter of time before a gas main was hit

Jim Allen, 64, a retired manager, said: “It's not the fault of the guys who put the poles up.

"But at some point, they were going to go through one of the main services, which they did."

The installation of broadband poles has caused controversy and protests.

Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart (Con) has called for a review of rules allowing broadband companies to install poles without going through the normal planning process.

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