Gas being restored to some Wellington businesses today

Gas utility Powerco says it is making good progress in repairing the damaged gas network in central Wellington and hopes to restore service to a number of businesses today.

Gas has been cut to about 1000 central Wellington businesses since Wednesday, forcing some to close, restaurants to downsize menus and hotels to shift guests.

A blast of water and gravel from a burst water main into the gas network caused the problem. Once the network is restored, gas fitters have to visit every customer and different amounts of work will be required at each property.

Powerco communications manager Neil Holdom said the company was making good progress and representatives this morning were visiting businesses and getting the gas back on.

He said a full report on what streets service had been restored to would be available later today.

- NZPA