Scores shiver in big freeze

South Shropshire residents were left shivering during the coldest winter for 30 years after being stopped from using their central heating or their fires because of problems with their chimneys.

Residents of south Shropshire were forbidden from using the chimneys for up to two months after safety checks revealed cracks in the flues which needed urgent repairs.

It meant many people were left with just electric fires to heat their homes as temperatures fell as low as -10C (14F).

In many cases backboilers in the chimneys controlled the entire central heating system.

The cracks were discovered at one in three properties when officials from the South Shropshire Housing Association carried out solid fuel safety checks.

John Taylor, of Langlands Road in Cleobury Mortimer, is still waiting for his chimney to be fixed.

He said: "Tenants affected were stopped from using their fires and central heating as a matter of safety and were issued with two electric fires.

"For some of us this state of affairs has continued for over a month."

Jill and Colin Jenkins, of The Crescent, Clee Hill, have been prevented from using their chimney since the end of January.

The chimney has now been rebuilt but the couple are still waiting for it to be relined and smoke tested.

Mr Jenkins said: "I honestly don't know why they did it at this time of year. It would have been fine in the summer."

Paul Sutton, for SSHA, said there was no legislation in place for landlords to comply with for solid fuel appliances.

He said: "Last year we rolled out a similar approach to servicing solid fuel appliances because we have recognised that solid fuel is extensively used within Shropshire and is always a high risk in terms of carbon monoxide poisoning.

"We would like to think we will have completed it by the end of this year."

He said burning green unseasoned wood tended to tar up the flue. The tar then catches light and the flue cracks.

He added: "If you burn seasoned wood and sweep your flue every two years it helps prevent the problem."

He said customers have been supplied with temporary heating while the flues were being relined.

By Sophie Bignall