We are undertaking an extension, which involves knocking down the garage where the gas meter is currently sat - which therefore needs moving. Contacting Transco, this takes 1-2weeks for the quote, 3-4 weeks for a date which may be 6-8 weeks in the future, and an additional 2 weeks if they need council approval. So - a maximum of 16 weeks. Which is a problem. We can live without gas perfectly happily for this time, but Transco say that to "turn off" the gas in the street is still 4-6 weeks from now (and we have already waited 4 weeks on the original plan of moving the meter - the documentation says 6-8 weeks total, the extra 6 weeks only transpired after we filed the application).
The question is - are Transco pulling my leg, and is there anything I can do?
The pipe onto the property, outside the house actually could remain where it is for the time being - this would allow us to knock down the existing brickwork, bring up the floor and lay the new foundations. Is there a way for Transco to easily cap this pipe (or is there a valve at the top of the pipe - the head appears to have a allen-key slot in the top, so looks more than just a connector).
What is involved in Transco disconnecting at the street - is this lots of digging or just turning a valve.
I suspect if I called Transco and said that I could smell gas (because my builder had just dug through the pipe?) then they would be able to cap the main somewhat quicker than 4-6 weeks. This obviously isn't a real option - but if I know what is involved it is easier for me to petition them to "just come and turn off the valve".
Many thanks Tim.