Residents' gas meter fears in Kincaidston are to be addressed by engineers.
Gas chiefs have made a ‘U-turn’ on major replacement works in the Ayr estate and will return to streets to remove meters from inside households “where possible”.
It comes after more than 30 residents raised the alarm to community leader Robert Dunn over safety concerns.
SGN is still progressing through the streets rocked by an explosion six months ago which blasted through four homes — leaving a family seriously injured.
Engineers have been replacing iron pipes with a safer plastic alternative as they rip out the entire network.
A campaign launched by shattered residents saw SGN start immediate works, with residents calling for safer gas mains and meters to be moved outside.
Robert who led the campaign told Ayrshire Live: “More than 30 residents contacted me through the page concerned they had not had their gas meters placed outside.
“When I started my campaign it was with the view to making things safer and that meant placing gas meters away from the house.”
Robert claims that moving gas meters can prevent homes being at “the centre of a gas explosion.”
But SGN has stated there are no safety concerns with indoor gas meters despite promising to remove the majority of them from Kincaidston homes.
A spokesperson for SGN told Ayrshire Live: "If any resident in the Kincaidston estate who we’ve already visited has since changed their mind and would prefer their meter box to be moved outside, we’re more than happy to do this.”
In an update to residents on March 11, an SGN statement reads: “We’d like to confirm that when replacing the gas services to individual properties we will be moving the majority of gas meters to an outside position.
“This will be housed in a secure meter box which we will also fit as part of the works. Where there are technical reasons or residents would prefer an alternative position we will discuss this with you.
“For the flats on the estate, the meter positions will remain where they are, although all the service pipes will be converted.
“We’d like to reassure you once again that our gas network in the area remains safe."
Robert believes more community pressure has helped ensure residents' fears were listened to again after meeting with chiefs earlier this month.
He added: “If it wasn’t for the community raising the concern they would never have got their meters put back in.
“I met with SGN and told them that the meters had to be moved, I feel like they were trying to cut corners.”
Later SGN responded to a number of the individual claims made.
When asked if they had made a U-turn on major replacement works, a spokesperson for SGN said: "There has been no U-turn. We have been consistent in our approach and every property where we’ve so far replaced the gas service pipe has been offered the option of having their indoor gas meter moved to an outside position."
When asked if moving gas meters can prevent homes from being at the centre of a gas explosion, they said: "There are no safety issues with an indoor gas meter, they comply with all safety standards."
When asked if SGN promised to move the majority of indoor gas meters from Kincaidston homes, they said: "We gave everyone the choice for this (where technically possible), to provide additional reassurance to residents."
When asked if community lead to meters being put outside, they said: "No, not at all. But we are pleased with the positive engagement we’ve had with the community."
When asked if SGN had corners in their major replacement works, they said: "No corners have been cut whatsoever. The project was well planned and our professional teams have carried out all work to the highest of standards."
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
