Compensation sought over Hungerford gas works

Hungerford's Chamber of Commerce is seeking compensation for the whole town following the controversial gas works

COMPENSATION is being sought for the entire town of Hungerford in the wake of controversial gas works this summer.

Works to replace the old, cast iron gas main on the A338 at High Street, Bridge Street and Salisbury Road, started at the beginning of April and were originally scheduled to take nine weeks.

However they overran until the end of last month.

Individual traders, some of whom lost up to 50 per cent of their takings during the period, are seeking compensation in a joint action being co-ordinated by the Chamber of Commerce.

However, at a recent meeting of the chamber it was decided to seek compensation for the town.

Chamber spokesman Nigel Perrin said: “We decided to write a letter to the chief executive officer of (contractors) Wales and West Utilities on behalf of the chamber, the town council and the Town and Manor expressing our disgust at the whole way the project was handled.

“It was immensely frustrating, not just for traders, but for individual residents. It was very hard for them to get any information about what was going on and how long the works would be extended beyoind the original deadline.”

He added: “We are going to ask for a donation as a gesture of goodwill and, if we're successful, we can use it for anything that benefits the town as a whole - perhaps towards the Victorian extravaganza or perhaps a couple of benches.

“The management of the whole project was appallingly bad at times and we had to fight to get any useful information to give people.”

The chamber is also urging individual traders and residents to write to the company in a bid to keep the pressure on.

Town councillor Roger Thompson has already done so. He said this week: “I did so in a private capacity, not as a councillor. I complained about the disruption outside my house and got an apology so perhaps they are in a receptive mood.”

The joint letter will be formally sent to the company by town mayor Martin Crane.

Wales and West Utilities spokesman Gwyn Thomas apologised for inconvenience caused to townsfolk and added: “Any compensation claims will be dealt with on an individual basis.”