Disgruntled residents have expressed their dismay at emergency works that have left some houses without a gas supply for six days.

Engineers from Northern Gas Networks (NGN) have been working to restore supplies to customers in the Canal Road area of Bradford, after a burst water main caused water to enter the gas network.

Thirty-six out of 163 homes have had their supply restored, as have ten out of about 50 businesses, said NGN yesterday. For some properties the supply went off last Thursday evening.

Aminah Tayab said she had sent her two children, aged three and one, to her mum’s on one of the nights.

“I think it is absolutely disgusting,” said Mrs Tayab. “Especially when no-one has come to the door to tell us anything.”

Mrs Tayab added: “We thought the boiler had gone off. We called an engineer out, which cost us some money.”

Sajid Adam, 26, said he and his wife had been relying on relatives for food and showers.

He added: “It has put a lot of hassle on us – it has been a real nightmare.”

Catherine Beaumont, 27, said: “We have been going to relatives or eating out. We have had to go out for showers.”

Josephine Oscar said: “It’s been a tough couple of days. It’s not cheap to eat takeaway food.”

NGN said electric heaters and portable cookers have been given to some customers. Ian Waddle, regional manager for NGN, said: “We’ve now opened a customer cabin outside the Bradford Motorcycle Centre on Canal Road where customers can drop in to ask questions and get advice.

“They will also find welfare facilities on site from 5am to 7pm, providing hot food and drinks to those affected.”