Electricity firm does U-turn over pensioners

LONDON Electricity has agreed to install a GBP 46,000 heating system for the 86 pensioners in south London who were left with brand new heaters and no power to run them.

The company has been embroiled in a two-year battle with the elderly residents of a south London housing estate highlighted by the Evening Standard this week - after demanding it pay the cost of building an electricity substation to power new low-cost storage heaters.

Now, in a dramatic about-turn, it has agreed to build the sub- station within weeks provided it gets planning permission from Merton Council on Thursday. Only yesterday the company announced it was minded to seek a judicial review over the industry watchdog Offer's ruling this week that the company should install the heaters in Mitcham Gardens Estate and foot the bill for the substation. As winter temperatures plunge the residents, whose average age is 75, have only a small heater in one room or their homes. London Electricity spokesman Alex Parsons says the company will now build the substation within weeks, without waiting for Offer's complete adjudication, or undertaking a costly and lengthy court action on whether they are legally obliged to do so. Mr Parsons said: "If it does go to a judicial review and it falls in favour of the regulator's decision, no money will need to change hands. If the courts support our position we will then have to work with all interested parties to resolve the matter overall."

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