Kemp Town high rise residents slam council after gas leak

People living in a block of St Johns Mount, a council high rise in Kemp Town, have been living in a hotel since Christmas Eve after a gas leak made their homes unliveable.

Weeks later, they are still living at a Leonardo Hotel near Brighton Station.

Among them is Timothy Maddran, 61, who lives in a flat in Mount Pleasant with his wife.

He said he is “furious” with the council.

“The council has completely abandoned us,” Mr Maddran told The Argus.

“It has already been three weeks and we have heard we could be here till February.

“I am completely disillusioned with the council, it is totally unacceptable.”

Timothy Maddran, 61, is 'furious' with the council (Image: The Argus)

At least five council properties are affected, and Mr Maddran said there are 12 flats in the affected area. 

Mr Maddran said he has contacted the council several times. 

Due to the gas leaks, people were unable to dry their clothes.

“Children were going to school with damp clothes,” Mr Maddran told The Argus.

“The council told us to get receipts from the launderettes to claim on. It is ridiculous. Most launderettes don’t even give receipts."

Greta Petrik is a mum-of-three.

She has lived with her husband and children in St Johns Mount for four years.

“Christmas was completely ruined,” she said.

“We are going to be here for weeks as the repair work still has not started.”

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She said she is angry about how little has been done.

“I can understand why it could not be sorted over Christmas and New Year, but it has been two weeks since then and still nothing has been done.”

“We cannot wash our own clothes here or cook our own food.”

She said her two-year-old son Arijus has mostly eaten chips for weeks because they are unable to cook their own food.

“My children come home from school and cry,” she said.

“They ask me, why are we still here? When can we go home?”

St Johns Mount is in Mount Pleasant, Kemp Town

Bradley Barlow, a spokesman for SGN, formerly Southern Gas Networks, said: “In December, a number of properties in St Mount Pleasant, Brighton were evacuated due to a gas escape.

"We have surveyed the properties in St Johns Mount and Tyson Place and identified our riser pipework will need to be replaced.

“We’d like to apologise to local residents for the inconvenience caused and would like to assure them we are working to return them to their homes as quickly as possible.”

Mr Maddran said he felt completely 'abandoned' by the council (Image: The Argus)

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: “Gas supply to the building is a matter for SGN, not the council.

“SGN immediately arranged for alternative accommodation for the residents.

“Our housing team is keeping in touch with the residents who have had to move. We understand that they are satisfied with the arrangements SGN have made for them.

“We are also in regular contact with SGN. We know they are aware of the importance of making the necessary repairs as soon as possible so that the residents can move back in to their home.

“Some residents who didn’t need to be moved for safety reasons have nonetheless temporarily lost their gas supply. 

“SGN have provided them with temporary heaters and cooking facilities.”