Fuelling the fire

Gas upgrades could add to anti-social behaviour problem

Worried neighbours fear upgrades to a gas kiosk could spark a rise in anti-social behaviour.

Workmen from the National Grid have installed new gas pressure vents, which look like silver poles, on the roof of the 6ft brick kiosk in Wimpole Street, Oldham Edge.

A new solar panel to power the gas equipment inside the kiosk and new fencing will also be installed.

But Wimpole Street resident Martin Pawley (46) said the additions will only encourage existing anti-social behaviour.

He said: “Children aged 10 to 12 are regularly climbing on to the roof — I am forever shouting at them to come down.

“The new poles sticking up will make it very easy for children to climb on to the flat roof — there might as well be a ladder at the side of the building.

“The brick building is an eyesore and children will try and pull the solar panel off.”

Various similar kiosks, which help reduce gas pressure before it is directed into homes, already exist across the borough.

The work is part of a £23 million National Grid project designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A total of 1,000 kiosks will be affected across the North-West, with the scheme due for completion in 2010.

A spokeswoman for the National Grid said the modifications to the Wimpole Street kiosk were part of a general overhaul to bring it in line with latest legislation.

She said: “We have been out to that kiosk recently and installed a solar panel on the roof to run the equipment instead of using the mains.

“The poles are vents which act like a safety valve should there be a build up of gas.

“We will take on board concerns raised and we will have another look at it.

“Maybe we can use anti-vandal paint.

“We will also see whether there is anything extra we could do such as put up more signage.”