National Grid apologises to Broseley mayor over complaints
The National Grid has apologised to the mayor of Broseley for claiming it had received no complaints during a three-month project to replace pipes along a busy road near the town.
They also claimed its work along the B4373 Bridgnorth to Broseley road, to fix a leaking gas pipe that supplied about 7,000 homes, had been praised by motorists – much to the anger of Mayor Ian Pickles.
Councillor Pickles claims he had been accused of not working on the behalf of the community due the comments by the National Grid.
The scheme saw the B4373 closed until the end of October after the works were extended.
The work was supposed to have been completed by the end of September.
Owners of the King and Thai restaurant had claimed they had lost trade due to the work but Steve Murray, from the National Grid, claimed in a letter to the Shropshire Star last Saturday that the project had been completed without receiving any complaints.
He said the company had been complimented by motorists and residents for efforts made to lessen the inconvenience.
But Councillor Pickles said he was "incandescent" over the comments and demanded an apology.
He said: "People in Broseley passed on their concerns to me so I said I'd speak to the chief executive on their behalf.
"I outlined their complaints so I am amazed to read there had been none – there were complaints before the project even began.
"I would like to think people realise this is not just me being precious because it's important people know we really did try to sort things out while the work was being carried out."
Jeanette Unsworth, National Grid spokeswoman, said: "I can confirm we have had complaints about our work in Broseley and while these may not have been made directly to us, they were brought to our attention by Councillor Ian Pickles.
"We worked with Mr Pickles to try to address the issues raised and apologise for not mentioning in our letter the representations that he made to us on the behalf of his constituents."
