Gas contractors making a phased return to work in Mid Ulster towns

Pictured from left - Michael McKinstry (Group Chief Executive at Phoenix Natural Gas), Economy Minister Diane Dodds, Michael Scott (Managing Director, firmus energy) and Darren Young (Head of Business Development, SGN Natural Gas).

The company has confirmed that its contractors will resume connection-related work while adhering to Government and NHS advice on precautionary measures to reduce the risk of the spread of COVID-19.

Strict emphasis will be placed on social distancing at least two metres from colleagues, customers, and the public.

In a statement, SGN Natural Gas welcomed the scheduled return of its workers to meet the growing demand for business and domestic connections in the new network area in the west of Northern Ireland. The pre-scheduled work will be carried out on a phased basis in the various key towns.

SGN Natural Gas stressed that the safety of its colleagues and the public was paramount and has urged people to stay the required distance from contractors working in streets and residential areas at all times.

Danny O’Malley, Director of SGN Natural Gas, said: “We are looking forward to connecting the many homes in our network area who are eager to switch from their existing fuel supply to natural gas as soon as possible. We know that during the coronavirus outbreak, local consumers will rely on us more than ever to keep them and their families safe and warm.”

“I would like to reassure the communities in the towns we serve that SGN Natural Gas is committed to operating safely in accordance with the latest government guidance to help further reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Our contractors will be displaying additional COVID-19 health and safety signage on site including contact numbers. We would like to thank everyone for their ongoing patience and co-operation during this new era for us all.”

Notification cards with further details and numbers to contact if required will be delivered to properties in the relevant areas prior to pre-scheduled works commencing.

For further information please visit the SGN Natural Gas website, sgnnaturalgas.co.uk or freephone the Customer service number 0800 975 7774.

--- A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you