‘Cut off’ by gas repairs

BLOCKED . . . the repair work shut Sholver Lane, disrupting residents of top Sholver

PARTS of Sholver have been cut off by gas repairs, residents have claimed.

The disruption started a week ago when engineers began working on gas pipes in Sholver Lane following a leak.

But the work shut the road and put a number of bus stops out of action, meaning people were forced to walk half a mile or more to catch the bus.

Trade at local shops is also said to have been hit as a result of the work.

Retired local government worker Ian Fullerd (68), of Longfellow Crescent, said: “The work started several days ago and now there are no bus services to top Sholver.

“Pensioners and young mothers have to walk a long way to get a bus. The area is virtually cut off and there is no street lighting.”

Resident Eric Baxter, of Ashdene Rise, Sholver, said: “It is scandalous that Sholver Lane has been closed since last Thursday. We are also concerned that the street lights are not working.”

Newsagent Rana Akram, of RMA News in Coleridge Road, says his trade is almost at a standstill because of the repairs, while remaining customers have bombarded him with complaints.

Valerie Mellor (52), of Swift Road, Sholver, said: “The people in top Sholver are really isolated. There are six bus stops out of action.

“Last Friday I had to walk quite a distance home carrying heavy bags of shopping. This whole thing is a disgrace.”

A spokeswoman for National Grid said they apologised for inconvenience but with a gas escape they had to put public safety first.

She said there had been a fracture in a 12-inch cast iron gas main. But supplies in the area were unnaffected.

The repair had now been completed and they were in the process of re-instating the area.