Extra clarifications regarding the gas works were necessary. Further e-mails have been sent to the contractor as well as to Camden Council.
On 17-03-2011 at 10:04am a resident sent the following e-mail to
- "Parker, Samantha"
- "Kavanagh, Tony" Tony.Kavanagh@morrisonus.com (NG Customer Manager),
- "Stow, John" john.stow@camden.gov.uk (Mechanical services manager),
- "TRA" curnocktra@yahoo.co.uk,
- "Robinson, Roger (Councillor)" Roger.Robinson@camden.gov.uk
- "Brayshaw, Peter (Councillor)" Peter.Brayshaw@camden.gov.uk
Dear Ms Parker,
Thank you for your quick response.
During the meeting with the residents (16-02-2011) your colleagues promised me that "you (contractors) will change the perception that the residents have for all contractors", by
a) "booking appointments before visiting properties",
b) "arrange Saturday meetings if necessary" and by
c) "talking to the residents in order to find an acceptable location for the meters".
However, one of your employees tried to access my property twice, without appointment.
On the 10th March 2011, your employee wanted to do some work but my friend told him to book an appointment for one of the following Saturdays as per your promises during the residents' meeting. He said that Saturdays might not be possible but he will try.
On the 12th March 2011 nobody came to my property and therefore nothing happened.
On the 16-03-2011 one of your employees came again and this time he wanted to do some works on the external wall of my property. My friend advised him again not to do anything until he book an appointment since it is not clear where the meter will be installed. Your employee again promised to try to come on Saturday.
I would strongly advise you to stop any damages to my walls without appointment and without my permission. The external walls might belong to the Camden council but the furnishing inside the flat is my property and any damage to that furnishing will result in legal action against your company and its employees.
QUESTIONS
1) Why your employees do not book appointments?
2) What is the point of visiting properties without appointments? Do you try to do the works while the leaseholders are away and getting access by asking relatives or friends?
3) When will you arrange for a meeting in order to check the layout of the kitchen and tell me where the gas meter will be installed as per your bosses promises on the meeting? It seems to me that your promises are just that: Promises and nothing more.
My only available dates at the moment are:
a) Saturday 19th March 2011
b) Saturday 26th March 2011
c) Saturday 02nd April 2011
d) Saturday 09th April 2011
e) Saturday 07th May 2011
4) Could you please provide me with a copy of the regulations that prevent you from covering the pipes?
5) How strong and secure are the boxes that you are using for covering the meters? Please have in mind that the lock is plastic!
Dear Mr Stow,
Could you please let me know the measures that Camden Council will take from preventing damages to the pipes and meter enclosures? In the past we had many drug users fighting and using lighters in front of the flats, where the pipes are currently installed, in order to inhale their drugs. Other drug dealers were using the estate for hiding their stock. The gas meter encloses are the best place to hide things.
It seems to me that nobody wants to take responsibility for the new pipes that can be reached and damaged easily.
Yours sincerely
On 18-03-2011 a resident sent the following e-mail:
Dear Ms Parker and Mr Stow,
In addition to my previous email's questions (attached below) I would like to have some further clarifications.
Your employees have started installing the pipes on the wooden panels on the ceilings. As far as I am aware, the wooden panels on the balconies ceilings are hold by a few screws which are not designed to hold pipes. They were designed in order to be able to be removed for light or cable repairs.
1) How will the Camden Council remove those wooden panels when they will need to repair the lights or cables?
2) Will the Camden council remove the pipes, disconnect 34 flats in order to replace one light?
3) What will be the cost for removing those wooden panels in the future in order to do the repairs? Please have in mind that leaseholders will have to pay more than £12,500 this year alone because of Camden Council's inefficiency to plan the major works.
The pipes are installed in the most convenient and cheapest way for the contractors. I would like to know what were the alterative installation locations for the pipes. Could the main pipes have been installed on the underground car parking located below the flats instead of the wooden panels in front of them? If you drill one hole in front of each of the ground floor flats you will have access to the underground car parking.
Finally I would like to emphasise for one more time that the gas pipes do not look safe or nice. The estate is currently full of pipes and cables (some of them exposed for 5 years now -- see attached images).
Please look at the attached images and please answer the questions.
A quick response before the end of the works would be really appreciated.
Yours sincerely
The e-mails to Samantha Parker has been bounced back!!!
On 18-03-2011 at 11:55am, a resident sent the following e-mail:
Dear Mr Stow,
The following e-mail addresses from Samantha Parker and Tony Kavanagh are NOT valid any more (see attached pdf files).
1. Samantha Parker – NG Customer Liaison Officer - samantha.parker@morrisonus.com
2. Tony Kavanagh – NG Customer Manager - tony.kavanagh@morrisonus.com
Could you please let me know who replaced them? Who is responsible to answer residents questions concerning the Gas Works?
Yours sincerely
On 18-03-2011 at 14:56, Mr John Stow sent us the following e-mail:
Dear Resident,
By way of this email I will ask that Samantha makes contact with you.
Thank you
John Stow
Mechanical services manager
Telephone: 020 7974 2046
On 18-03-2011 at 16:45, Mr John Stow sent us the following e-mail:
Dear Resident,
I do not want you believing that I’m avoiding responsibility, however drug dealing and users vandalizing the estates is something that needs to be taken up with the police and housing manager.
By way of this email I will forward it to the housing manager.
Thank you
John Stow
Mechanical services manager
Telephone: 020 7974 2046
On 21-03-2011 at 10:15am, a resident sent the following e-mail to Ms Samantha Parker:
Dear Ms Parker,
Further to your employee's visit to my property (without appointment) on 19/03/2011 concerning relocation of my gas meter. There are a number of issues for which I need clarification.
1. The gas engineer wants to attach the meter to my existing kitchen furnishings and not directly to the external wall of my property. This means that when I change my kitchen units I will have to move the gas meter again (requiring a costly specialized gas engineer). This is not acceptable. The meter has to be attached directly to the wall of the kitchen without destroyed the current pipers or cables (see pictures).
2. The gas engineer wants to attach the meter deep either inside a corner kitchen unit, or under the sink. This means that I will lose space in the unit, and also make it exceptionally difficult to access the meter. The entire contents of the cupboard will have to be removed each time that the meter has to be read. This is not acceptable.
3. Also the emergency “off” taps for gas will be difficult to access in an emergency. Also the main water taps (hot and cold) will be made more difficult to access in an emergency.
4. In order to install the meter in the suggested position, I will need to dismantle much of my kitchen including the disconnection of my washing machine, which is very disruptive and challenging. I am concerned that the units will not be able to be replaced to the same standard that they are currently fitted.
5. I have been led to believe that the meter has to be positioned on an external wall due to legal requirements concerning ventilation of the meter. It is my view that the suggested new position for the meter will actually be in a less well ventilated location, tucked inside an enclosed cupboard (full with food) next to hot water pipes, and close to a washing machine.
6. I need the names of all the Camden Council employees that are involved in this project as well as their job titles. Please make clear who will check and approve the end result of the works.
7. If the gas meter has to be installed directly to the external wall of the property then I will need to know what you will do on Mexborough building. The kitchens in Mexborough flats are in the middle of the flat which means that the meter has to be installed either inside the main bedroom or in the living room. Could you please clarify?
Please can you detail to be the exact legal regulation that demands that the meter has to be on an external wall. I would like to examine all the arguments to see if it is not safer and less disruptive to leave the meter in the existing position.
Until I have clarification of the above points I cannot allow any work to start inside my flat. Additionally I will not allow any holes to be drilled into my wall from outside the flat.
Yours sincerely
On 21-03-2011 at 11:54am, Ms Samantha Parker replied:
Dear Resident,
I would like to make an appointment to meet with you on site to discuss the issues that you have raised. I will be accompanied by the project manager Patrick Kelly who will be able to answer the more technical questions. Please advise when a suitable time and I will try my best to accommodate this.
Regards
Samantha Parker
On 21-03-2011 at 14:01, a resident replied to Ms Samantha Parker:
Dear Ms Parker,
Thank you for your e-mail.
A meeting would be useful but before the meeting I would like to have all the exact legal regulations regarding the installation of pipes and gas meters. Then we can have a meeting. I am normally free after 18:30 during the week and all day during the weekends.
Yours sincerely
On 21-03-2011 at 14:29, Ms Samantha Parker replied:
Dear Resident,
Pat Kelly and I would like to meet with you tomorrow at 6:30pm if you are available? We will bring documentation regarding regulations with us to the meeting.
Regards
Samantha Parker
On 22-03-2011 at 09:08am, a resident replied to Ms Samantha Parker:
Dear Ms Parker,
I would like to have the regulations documents or an internet link before the meeting in order to save time. Otherwise I will waste your time while you will be waiting for me to read all the documents.
Thanks
On 22-03-2011 at 10:12, Ms Samantha Parker replied:
Dear Resident,
Please contact me on 07809 530859 to discuss meeting.
Regards
Samantha Parker
On 22-03-2011 at 11:38am, Ms Samantha Parker replied:
Dear Resident,
The information that you have requested is very lengthy and intricate. May I please suggest that you meet with us on site so that we are able discuss the documentation and all of your issues? I feel it would be much more beneficial to inspect the current works while explaining the current gas regulations. Please advise if you are available to meet at 6:30pm this evening.
Kind Regards
Samantha Parker
On 22-03-2011 at 13:24, a resident replied to Ms Samantha Parker:
Dear Ms Parker,
I understand that the information is lengthy and intricate. That is exactly the reason why I would like to have the opportunity to look at it before the meeting. I am simply requesting for you to send me the relevant link to the documentation which I am sure must be available online. Please do not assume that I will not be able to comprehend the legislation.
We can meet at any time but I want to have answers to all of my questions (see previous e-mails) in writing before any work takes place on my property.
Yours sincerely
On 22-03-2011 at 13:59, Ms Samantha Parker replied:
Dear Resident,
We note your comments and believe that we can clarify all of your concerns at our meeting tonight. We are extremely keen to resolve this matter to a satisfactory conclusion and look forward to meeting with you at 6:30pm.
Kind Regards
Samantha Parker
On 23-03-2011 at 14:54, a resident replied to Ms Samantha Parker:
Dear Ms Parker, Mr Kelly,
Thank you for coming to my flat yesterday.
I would like to confirm the main points of our meeting:
- Mr Pat Kelly stated that the gas meters and pipes installations are safe and according to the regulations "IGE/G/5 Communications 1712",
- Meters can be installed up to 2.5 meters inside the property according to the regulations "IGE/G/5 Communications 1712",
- Regulations strictly prohibit the installation of the new gas meters in their current locations (under the stairs),
- Camden Council has approved the current location of the meters which is close to the kitchen's external wall (see picture),
- Camden Council has approved the installation of gas meters inside the bedrooms of some flats in Mexborough,
- Most of the Gas Meters have been or will be installed either in position 1 or position 2 (see attached picture) inside the kitchens of the Goldthorpe building.
Finally we agreed (since there is no other option) that:
- The gas meter will be installed under the kitchen's sink (position 2),
- The gas meter will be attached to the external wall and it will not touch or interfere with any of my furnishing,
- The old pipes close to the old meter will be removed
- The work will be done in two Saturdays after the appropriate appointments have been arranged,
- Pat Kelly will be present during the works,
- Your company will put everything back AS IT WAS inside my kitchen and to my satisfaction, without damages after the pipe and gas meter works. Pictures will be taken before and after the installation.
Please confirm that the above statements are correct before you arrange for an engineer to come to my property this Saturday.
Please also let me know the exact time for this appointment as well as the time for the second appointment on 02nd April 2011.
I am looking forward for your answers.
Yours sincerely
On 25-03-2011 at 08:33am, Ms Samantha Parker replied:
Dear Resident,
I can confirm that your statements below (see above) are correct, though I would like to highlight that we use IGE/G/5 as one of our reference documents.
Mr Pat Kelly will be on site at 9:30am on Saturday 26th March, I will confirm a time with you for the 2nd of April next week.
Many Thanks
Samantha Parker
On 04-04-2011 at 07:02, a resident sent the following email to
- Patrick Kelly, patrick.kelly@uk.ngrid.com , (Construction Operations Engineer - National Grid):
Dear Mr Kelly,
Unfortunately I am not satisfied with the works that have so far been carried out in my flat. As you are aware from the emails below, the works should have been completed by this weekend. However the job has not been completed, and the works that have been made are not satisfactory.
1. I have made one evening of my time available for a consultation in addition to two full days for the works to be carried out, but they have not been completed. The first appointment made was to discuss what work was to be carried out. The second and third appointments were to complete the necessary works. However not all of the relevant workmen turned up for the third appointment and so the job is still not completed. Additionally one of the workmen (carpenter) who came to my flat did not stay to complete his part of the job and left it to the gas fitter to complete. Consequently this part of the job was not finished in a competent or professional manner. The carpenter was present from between 08:25am to 10:40am. (The appointment had been made from 8am).
2. We made the agreement that the existing kitchen furniture would not be compromised. However a hole has been made through one of my units in order to pass a gas pipe. This goes specifically against what you said you were going to do, and will make it more difficult when I will need to replace new kitchen units in the future.
3. The new gas pipes should be flush against the external wall of the flat – not “floating” underneath the units. Although this configuration is more convenient to your workmen to install, this will again make it more compromising when I need to reconfigure my kitchen in the future. This configuration also makes it difficult to clean underneath the units.
I was led to believe that you would be present during the works to oversee any problems. I am willing to commit one more Saturday (full day on 9th April) to have these works finished to a satisfactory and professional level. However I am not willing, and it would be unreasonable to expect me to spend more time on this project.
Finally I will not give you permission to drill through my outside wall to complete installation of the meter until my kitchen units have been put back to a satisfactory condition.
Please deliver what you have promised (and what it is reasonable to expect).
Yours sincerely
On 04-04-2011 at 16:55, Ms Samantha Parker replied to the above e-mail:
Dear Resident,
As discussed I have arranged for a final completion of the works to your property to take place on Saturday 9th April 2011 at 9:30am. A professional carpenter and a gas safe registered fitter will be on site completing the works and Darren from K & S pipe contractors will be on site to supervise.
I do apologise for any inconvenience you have suffered due to the gas works at your property. We hope to complete the works to your satisfaction this Saturday. If you would like to speak to me with regard to the works please feel free to call me on 07809 530859.
Kind Regards
Samantha Parker
On 05-04-2011 at 13:32, a resident sent the following email to Mr Kelly:
Dear Mr Kelly,
I want you to be present during the works inside my flat on Saturday 09th April 2011 (as per email below) because I have serious concerns about the quality of works (pipes vibrate when the washing machine is spinning, problems with the door in front of washing machine, etc) as well as the position of the pipes (it is not the position that we have agreed).
I am looking forward to see you next Saturday.
Yours sincerely
On 05-04-2011 at 16:55, Mr Kelly replied to the above e-mail:
Dear Resident,
I will be in attendance on Saturday to resolve all matters.
Regards
Patrick Kelly
Construction Operations Engineer
LondonOperations
National Grid
Office 0207 731 9625
Mob 07778 239 053
E Mail patrick.kelly@uk.ngrid.com
On 11-04-2011 at 09:53 we wrote the following e-mail:
Dear Ms Parker,
The gas fitter, Darren and Pat Kelly came to my property last Saturday 9th April 2011. We discussed the problems with the previous pipe installation (wrong position, pipe vibrations, damages to my cupboards, etc) and after that the gas fitter installed the pipe against the wall as it had been previously agreed.
However , the job has not been finished because the carpenter was not there as you promised me on your last e-mail (see below). Mr Kelly promised on Saturday that the carpenter will come to my place during the week at my convenience in order to finish the job.
Could you please arrange for the carpenter to come to my property on Wednesday 13th April 2011 at 18:45 in order to finish the job? If he can not finish the job then we will have to call Mr Kelly's personal carpenter as he promised me on last Saturday.
Could you please also arrange to send someone on the 18th or 20th April in order to remove the old pipes?
Yours sincerely
On 11-04-2011 at 16:44, we wrote the following e-mail:
Dear Ms Parker,
Could we change the date for the 4th appointment from Wed 13th April to either tomorrow or Thursday 14th April 2011?
Looking forward for your quick response.
Thanks
On 12-04-2011 at 10:56, we wrote the following e-mail:
Dear Ms Parker & Mr Kelly,
Is there any news concerning this week's appointment for repairing my kitchen?
A quick response would be appreciated.
Yours sincerely
On 12-04-2011 at 13:22, Mr kelly replied:
I can confirm that the carpenter will be attending your premises on Thursday at 18 45.
Regards
Patrick Kelly
Construction Operations Engineer
LondonOperations
National Grid
Office 0207 731 9625
Mob 07778 239 053
E Mail patrick.kelly@uk.ngrid.com
On 14-04-2011 at 07:57, we wrote to Mr Kelly:
Dear Mr Kelly,
Your carpenter tried to get access to my flat yesterday without my permission or appointment. I was not at my property but I received a card saying that he was there. I saw the card early this morning.
At 07:40am your carpenter was ringing our door bell and managed to wake up my tenants and interrupt me from my preparations for an important business meeting. I did not answered the door because I did not have the time and because my kitchen was not ready for the works. At this time we prepare for work and it is not suitable for us to accept visitors without prior arrangements.
I would suggest that your employees go to someone’s property ONLY with appointments and definitely NOT before 08:00am. You made that mistake many times in the past!
I hope he comes at 18:45 today as you promised and fix the problems.
Yours sincerely
On 15-04-2011 at 06:53am, we wrote to Mr Kelly:
Dear Mr Kelly,
The carpenter came again at the correct time yesterday and finished the job.
The only thing that is left now is the removal of the old pipes.
Could you please arrange for someone to come and do this job next week?
Yours sincerely
On 18-04-2011 at 09:41am, we wrote to Mr Kelly:
Mr Kelly,
Is there any news concerning my last email about the removal of old pipes?
Yours sincerely
On 18-04-2011 at 09:53am, Mr Kelly replied:
As discussed, once the main has been de commissioned we will remove the pipes as agreed and at a pre arranged date.
The planned start date for de commissioning of the main is Tuesday 26th April 2011.
Regards
Patrick Kelly
Construction Operations Engineer
LondonOperations
National Grid
Office 0207 731 9625
Mob 07778 239 053
E Mail patrick.kelly@uk.ngrid.com