Vector annoyed at 'haphazard' contractors rupturing gas lines

A gas leak in central Auckland yesterday was one of several that have plagued the city recently. Photo / Troy Rawhiti-Forbes

Vector is getting "really annoyed" at having to fix gas lines ruptured by careless third party contractors as a punctured gas line threatened to close a major Auckland motorway this afternoon.

Vector spokeswoman Sandy Hodge said increased construction work in the city during the lead-up to September's Rugby World Cup was resulting in a spike in the number of gas lines being ploughed through by haphazard workers.

"In most cases the contractors are not checking with us before commencing their work and consequently they're striking lines.

"It would be fair to say that we are exasperated because it can be very simply solved."

The latest rupture happened when a contractor cut through a gas pipe with a concrete cutter on Stoddard Rd in the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill about 2.15pm.

Police considered shutting down part of the South Western Motorway as repairs were carried out, but it was fixed before this was necessary.

Earlier this month an entire downtown Auckland block had to be evacuated when a contractor broke through a main feeder pipe with a digger.

Six Fire Service appliances attended and sprayed water over the area to disperse the gas.

Ms Hodge said Vector was considering recovering costs from contractors who had obviously not taken due care.

"If the message isn't getting through then potentially that's what we need to do."

- NZPA