Volume of gas leak
Dear Scotia Gas Networks Limited,
How much gas has been leaking from the gas pipe which is due to be replaced on Streatley High Street over the summer of 2024.
A full and complete dataset should be supplied. Ideally with timestamps and units of leakage. Date ranges should span back as far as possible.
Any other regional leaks of comparable volume should be supplied too.
Yours faithfully,
James Twallin
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24-hour National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
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9HJ.
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registered in Scotland and has its registered office address at Axis
House, 5 Lonehead Drive, Newbridge, Edinburgh EH28 8TG
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Classified as Internal
Good morning James,
Thank you for your email.
I am pleased you have taken the time to contact us. I have forwarded your enquiry to be dealt with by your local depot who will be in touch with you shortly.
Please can you confirm a phone number so I can arrange for the depot to call you back and get this resolved in a timely manner?
For any future correspondence, your reference number is CRM 2610305
If I can help with anything else, please let me know.
Many thanks,
Rebecca Graham, Customer Service Advisor
Talk to us on Live Chat or email [SGN request email]
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Classified as Internal
Good afternoon Mr Twallin
Thank you for taking the time to contact SGN about the urgent Gas
replacement works on SOE15049, High Street, Streatley, RG8 9HR.
I appreciate that our works are a large disruption to the surrounding
area, but this project is being completed because of a significant number
of leaks that have happened on this section of gas main over the past two
years.
The amount of gas that has leaked/or is currently leaking from this main
is impossible to calculate. This is due to many factors, the type of asset
that is leaking e.g. Main or service to residential property. The length
of time the asset is leaking before it’s reported to SGN to come out and
fix. What is actually leaking, is it the 6” main in the street from a lead
yarn joint or it could even be fractured due to ground conditions
changing.
These are some of the leaks that we regularly repair on our asset. This is
why it’s impossible for me to be able to calculate the amount of leakage
in the area.
Once the gas main and residential supplies have been replace with new
yellow polyethylene, it will be fit for the future and designed to last
over 80 years. I’ve attached our gas mains replacement leaflet for you to
read.
I would like to take this opportunity to apologise for any inconvenience
our works have caused, please feel free to contact me should you have any
other questions.
Many Thanks
Lee
Protect Champion & Project Manager
North Construction
M: 07778 197723
E: [1][email address]
SGN, Blatchford Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 5QR
From: Chris Keeling <[email address]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 30, 2024 12:43 PM
To: MBX_General_SoNorthConstruct <[email address]>
Cc: Allison, Lee <[email address]>
Subject: Re: CRM2610305-MR JAMES TWALLIN- HIGH STREET STREATLEY RG8 9HR
READING-SOE15049 - Environmental Information Regulations request - Volume
of gas leak
WARNING This email is not from the SGN network. Do not open unexpected files or
links.
Lee could you assist with this ENQUIRY please as out of I&G’s remit for a
response many thanks
Sent from my iPhone
Dear Lee,
Thank you for your response regarding my Freedom of Information request about gas leakage on High Street, Streatley.
Whilst I appreciate the complexities you've outlined, I must respectfully assert that SGN, as a public utility provider, has an obligation to maintain and provide certain data regarding its operations, particularly those impacting public safety and the environment.
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, SGN is required to furnish information to the public, especially concerning environmental matters such as gas leakage.
Therefore, I kindly request that you provide:
- Data on the number of reported leaks in the Streatley area over the past two years.
- Any available estimates of average gas leakage per reported incident.
- Environmental impact assessments related to these leaks, if conducted.
- Records of gas leak repairs carried out in the area over the past two years.
If the exact information requested is not readily available, I would be grateful for any approximations or relevant data you do possess. The FOI Act stipulates that public authorities must provide advice and assistance to those making requests.
I look forward to receiving this information within the statutory 20 working days. Should you be unable to provide this data, I kindly ask for a detailed explanation as to why, as I may need to seek advice from the Information Commissioner's Office.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your reply.
Yours sincerely,
James Twallin
Classified as Internal
Good Morning
We write to acknowledge receipt of your request under the Environmental
Information Regulations 2004. Please note that Southern Gas Networks plc
are not subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
We will begin to review your request for the below points:
- Data on the number of reported leaks in the Streatley area over the past
two years.
- Any available estimates of average gas leakage per reported incident.
- Environmental impact assessments related to these leaks, if conducted.
- Records of gas leak repairs carried out in the area over the past two
years.
We would be grateful if you could please confirm the postcodes you refer
to within the ‘Streatley area’, this will ensure we carry out an accurate
search on our records.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Kind Regards
Rhona Thomson
Solicitor
M: +44 (0)7583 072 862
E: [1][email address]
SGN, Legal Services, Fullarton House, 1 Fullarton Drive, Cambuslang,
Glasgow, G32 8FD
[2]sgn.co.uk
Find us on [3]Facebook and follow us on Twitter: [4]@SGNgas
Smell gas? Call 0800 111 999
[5]Find out how to protect your home from carbon monoxide
This email is confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended
solely for the addressees and access to this email by anyone else is
unauthorised. If you are not the intended recipient,
please immediately notify the sender of the error in transmission and then
delete this email. Please note that any disclosure, copying, distribution
is prohibited and may be unlawful.
Unless specifically stated otherwise, emails and attachments are neither
an offer capable of acceptance nor acceptance of an offer and do not form
part of a binding contractual agreement.
Emails may not represent the views of SGN.
Please be aware, we may monitor email traffic data and content for
security and staff training. For further information about what we do with
your personal data, and your rights in relation to the
same, please see the [6]Privacy Notice published on our website
SGN is a registered trade mark and is the brand name for the companies
with this Scotia Gas Networks group of companies.
Scotia Gas Networks Limited (company registration number 04958135) and all
of its subsidiaries, except for Scotland Gas Networks plc are registered
in England and Wales and have their registered
office address at St Lawrence House, Station Approach, Horley, Surrey RH6
9HJ.
Scotland Gas Networks plc (company registration number SC264065) is
registered in Scotland and has its registered office address at Axis
House, 5 Lonehead Drive, Newbridge, Edinburgh EH28 8TG
References
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2. https://www.sgn.co.uk/
3. https://www.facebook.com/SGNgas
4. https://twitter.com/SGNgas
5. https://www.sgn.co.uk/help-and-advice/ke...
6. https://www.sgn.co.uk/privacy-policy
Dear Rhona,
Thank you very much for your response.
Please could you clarify why the Freedom of Information Act 2000 does not apply to SGN? Please provide the specific exemption and why it applies.
The Streatley area is RG8 postcodes. This covers Goring, Streatley, Pangbourne, and Whitchurch-on-Thames.
Thanks again,
James Twallin
Classified as Internal
Good Morning
Thank you for your email and confirming on the postcode area.
SGN does not fall within the definition of "public authority" as set out in the Freedom of Information Act 2000, therefore the SGN are not subject to freedom of information requests. SGN are however classed as a public authority under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and we will therefore be reviewing your request under those Regulations.
Kind Regards
Rhona Thomson
Solicitor
M: +44 (0)7583 072 862
E: [email address]
SGN, Legal Services, Fullarton House, 1 Fullarton Drive, Cambuslang, Glasgow, G32 8FD
sgn.co.uk
Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter: @SGNgas
Smell gas? Call 0800 111 999
Find out how to protect your home from carbon monoxide
Dear Rhona,
I appreciate your explanation that SGN does not fall within the definition of a "public authority" under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. However, I would like to seek further clarification on this matter.
Section 5 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 extends the definition of public authority to include bodies that "exercise functions of a public nature". Given that SGN operates and maintains critical gas infrastructure, which is arguably a function of a public nature, I'm keen to understand your reasoning as to why this section does not apply to SGN.
Could you please provide a more detailed explanation of SGN's legal basis for determining that it is not subject to the Freedom of Information Act, particularly in light of Section 5?
I look forward to your response and thank you for your assistance in helping me understand this.
Kind regards,
James Twallin
Classified as Internal
Dear James
Section 5 of the Act empowers the Secretary of State to make an order designating as a public authority any person who appears to exercise functions of a public nature or is providing, under a contract made with a public authority, a service whose provision is a function of a public authority. Before making such an order, the Secretary of State will consult every person to whom the order relates. To date, SGN have not been consulted or received an order under Section 5 of the Act.
I hope this clarifies the reason as to why SGN are not subject to freedom of information requests.
Kind Regards
Rhona Thomson
Solicitor
M: +44 (0)7583 072 862
E: [email address]
SGN, Legal Services, Fullarton House, 1 Fullarton Drive, Cambuslang, Glasgow, G32 8FD
sgn.co.uk
Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter: @SGNgas
Smell gas? Call 0800 111 999
Find out how to protect your home from carbon monoxide
Dear Rhona,
Thank you for your explanation regarding Section 5 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. I appreciate you taking the time to clarify SGN's position.
I'd like to respectfully draw your attention to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) decision notice FER0621831 dated 13 June 2016, which addresses the status of gas network operators. In this decision, the ICO considered whether Northern Gas Networks Limited (NGN) should be treated as a public authority for the purposes of responding to information requests.
Given that SGN operates under a similar legal framework to NGN, with comparable statutory powers and public interest responsibilities, I'm interested in understanding how SGN's situation might differ from NGN's in relation to the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
I would be grateful for your thoughts on this matter and how it informs SGN's approach to Freedom of Information requests.
Thank you for your time and quick responses,
Kind regards,
James Twallin
Classified as Internal
Dear James
The Decision Notice FER0621831 issued by the ICO to Northern Gas Networks is concerned with the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 ("the Regulations") and the question around whether or not under the Regulations, NGN fall within the definition of a public authority. As you will have noted, the ICO concluded that NGN for the purposes of the regulated activities they undertake i.e. the activities under their Gas Transporter licence, do fall within the definition of a public authority. SGN do not dispute the Decision Notice or the ruling that Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs) are subject to the Regulations.
It is important to note the definition of a "public authority" under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 differ from one another. SGN and the other GDNs are considered to be public authorities under the Environmental Information Regulations and as such are obligated to review and respond appropriately to environmental information requests. SGN are also compelled to review any requests which are received under the Freedom of Information Act to determine if the information requested falls under the definition of "environmental information" as provided for under the Regulations. If the information does fall within this definition then SGN are obliged to respond to the request under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.
The information you have requested for falls within the definition of environmental information and SGN will be reviewing each of the four request points under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.
I trust the above clarifies your concerns and brings this to a close.
Kind Regards
Rhona Thomson
Solicitor
M: +44 (0)7583 072 862
E: [email address]
SGN, Legal Services, Fullarton House, 1 Fullarton Drive, Cambuslang, Glasgow, G32 8FD
sgn.co.uk
Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter: @SGNgas
Smell gas? Call 0800 111 999
Find out how to protect your home from carbon monoxide
Dear Rhona,
Thank you for taking the time to explain this thoroughly.
I look forward to receiving SGN's response regarding the data request.
Yours sincerely,
James Twallin
Classified as Internal
Good Afternoon
In response to your request for information, please find attached:
- SGN response letter dated 4 September 2024; and
- A copy of the requested data.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Kind Regards
Rhona Thomson
Solicitor
M: +44 (0)7583 072 862
E: [email address]
SGN, Legal Services, Fullarton House, 1 Fullarton Drive, Cambuslang, Glasgow, G32 8FD
sgn.co.uk
Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter: @SGNgas
Smell gas? Call 0800 111 999
Find out how to protect your home from carbon monoxide
Dear Rhona,
Thank you for your response dated 4 September 2024 and for providing a response to my original request, but I do not conside the request fulfilled.
The current data presentation consists of very noisy screenshots embedded within a PDF. It is impossible to read in parts.
I respectfully ask that you provide this information in a clearly formatted table which is machine readable. JSON, CSV, XML - whatever works!
Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to your response.
Kind regards,
James Twallin
Classified as Internal
Good Morning
Please find attached the records requested in an excel format.
Hopefully this now satisfies your request, but please don’t hesitate to contact us if you require anything further.
Kind regards
Candice Campbell
Data Privacy Manager
E: [email address]
M: 07966297717
SGN, Fullarton House, 1 Fullarton Drive, Cambuslang, Glasgow G32 8FD
Please note my working days are: Tuesday – Friday (inclusive)
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