GAS engineers say they are “now very close” to re-connecting gas supplies to all affected East Barnet homes but 200 households remain cut off this evening.

Residual water in the gas system is continuing to cause problems for gas supplier National Grid and water company Veolia Water.

National Grid head of operations David Luetchford said: “Our engineers have been working round the clock to resolve what has been a very difficult situation and we would like to thank the people of East Barnet for their patience during this last week.

“At the moment there are less than 100 homes without gas, this compares to well over 1,000 at the peak of the incident and our engineers are working on these.

“Around a further 100 properties have been unoccupied throughout the incident and we will deal with these as people return.”

Mr Luetchford said that engineers had made significant headway during the past 48 hours.

But pockets of water keep moving around the system affecting supply.

East Barnet's long suffering residents have had gas problems since Sunday December 20 when water from a burst water main gushed into gas pipes in York Road, quickly flooding a wide area in East Barnet.

Residents of at least one street also suffered from a lack of electricity after residents using fan heaters given out by National Grid overloaded the system.

From tomorrow the gas-cut team will relocate from its control centre in St Mary's School in Little Grove to its Barnet depot so the school can prepare for the new term.

A mobile incident unit will remain at the school to deal with customers' needs.

Mr Luetchford added: “I would like to reassure people that our engineers will be on the ground with the necessary resources.

“I would like to thank head teacher Mel Adams and all her staff for allowing us to use the school during the holiday period. We will make sure the school is back to normal and ready to open for the new term. I would also like to thank the London Borough of Barnet for their fantastic support throughout.”

Since the incident occurred last weekend, engineers have visited more than 3,000 homes and more than 1,000 properties have been reconnected.

For more information or to enquire about compensation call 0845 605 6677.

To speak to staff in Barnet 07810 470890 or 07768 953923.

Residents are advised not to try and turn their own gas supplies back on but to wait for an engineer to call.

If you smell gas please ring the National Gas Emergency service on 0800 111 999.

Are you still without gas? Contact Barnet reporter Sarah Cosgrove on 07795 505 961 or email scosgrove@london.newsquest.co.uk.