CALLS are being made for answers as to why workmen smashed through a gas main, leaving a whole town’s gas supply cut off.

Virtually all of Silsden was left without gas when a contractor damaged a pipeline at the Barratt development off Belton Road on Good Friday.

The firm has apologised and says it has launched an investigation into what happened.

But now a councillor says the housebuilder had been warned that gas mains were wrongly marked up at the site.

The company has also been accused of flouting its own construction management statement by carrying out work on a bank holiday.

And bosses are facing claims they failed to support the massive community operation which swung into action following the incident.

Supplies to around 3,500 properties were cut on Good Friday morning.

A huge emergency plan was put into place by Northern Gas Networks (NGN). It drafted in its own engineers and was backed up by teams from other UK gas distribution companies including Cadent, Wales & West Utilities and SGN. They were supported by countless agencies, organisations and volunteers.

Town and district councillor Adrian Naylor said the community response had been fantastic, but serious questions needed to be asked of Barratt.

“Barratt representatives were seen briefly on Saturday and Monday morning, but the firm did not provide staff or resources to help people over the weekend,” he said. “We are entitled to know why.”

Cllr Naylor said a written submission by Silsden Town Council in relation to the Belton Road housing scheme warned the applicant that the gas main was incorrectly marked on the map. He added: “A town councillor who attended the planning meeting when the matter was discussed reiterated that the gas main was noted wrongly on the plans.

“Lessons need to be learned from this incident and I have asked Bradford Council to hold a debriefing session.”

Ian Ruthven, managing director of Barratt & David Wilson Homes Yorkshire West Division, said the firm had continued to support Northern Gas Networks this week as remaining properties were reconnected.

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He said an investigation into Friday’s incident was ongoing.

He added: “We sincerely apologise to residents for the inconvenience that has been caused.

“There is an investigation ongoing and we are working with our subcontractor Athena and other parties to establish the circumstances of the accident. In the meantime we are in touch with community groups and local councillors to offer further support and we thank local people for their patience and understanding and NGN for its hard work and efforts over the last few days.”

James Marshall, commercial director of Athena Civil Engineering, apologised to residents and thanked NGN for a “fantastic job”.

“We are working very closely with the Barratt and David Wilson Homes Yorkshire West teams to investigate the circumstances around the weekend’s events, and are doing everything we can to ensure an incident like this does not occur again,” he said.