Cleat Hill: two months on, local MP claims 'no Government response' has been brought

The explosion, from which two people died, and which led to the evacuation of 50 households, is yet to be fully addressed

Cleat Hill house explosion site
Author: Zoe Head-ThomasPublished 19th Dec 2024

Cleat Hill residents, displaced for nearly two months following a devastating explosion that claimed two lives, are finally beginning to return to their homes.

However, the response to the situation has brought local criticism from North Bedfordshire MP Richard Fuller, who has expressed his frustration over what he describes as a 'lack of effective government intervention' in addressing local needs.

The explosion on October 19, which led to the evacuation of over 50 households, prompted an extensive emergency response, including gas safety checks, the installation of monitoring devices, and temporary housing for affected residents.

But Mr Fuller argued that while local authorities and emergency services have stepped up, central government has failed to act decisively.

Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, he said: "This is the biggest disappointment really in all of this, which is that our local authorities, the Council, Mayor Tom, the Fire Service, our local police providing 24/7 policing whilst people out of the home, they've been working their socks off to look after local residents.

"But from the national government we hear absolutely nothing. Nothing in terms of their willingness to support the expenditures of our local agencies.

"It's not cheap to keep police there all the time, to house families from 50 households, and also no response on those issues of longer term comfort to families, which we really ought to have at a national government level."

Mr Fuller, who visited the Cleat Hill area multiple times, insisted on the need for immediate clarity on reimbursement for costs incurred by the local council and further measures to prevent similar incidents.

“The government needs to be much more joined up in what it will do when an incident like this reoccurs, should it reoccur," he added.

Last week, residents expressed a mix of relief and lingering apprehension as they move back home.

Susan Barnett, one of those affected, described the past two months as challenging but commended the local response.

She said: "It’s not been easy, but the Council has made sure we were warm and safe. We’ve been well looked after by the fire service, the police, and everyone involved."

Another resident, John Parrot, who returned to his property two weeks ago after initially purchasing his own gas monitoring devices, said: "We didn’t move in recklessly. We had monitoring equipment from day one, but now with the permanent devices provided by the Council, it feels much safer.

"It’s been very reassuring to have them around; the police, fire services, and gas testing teams have been respectful and helpful throughout."

For many, the timing of their return—just before Christmas—has provided a sense of relief.

However Mr Fuller is urging the government to take immediate action to support the community which continues to be affected, with some residents still not allowed back into their homes.

Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband, said: "All of these things must be subject to rigorous safety evaluations and when anything like the situation you described happens, mechanisms are in place for government to look at these issues.

"Safety is of paramount importance."

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