BUNGLING Dudley Council fitted gas meters in hundreds of Halesowen homes without earth cables, the News can reveal.

Belle Vale Conservative councillor Simon Phipps is demanding residents in Worcester, Malvern and Tenbury Houses have their meters refitted as soon as possible.

The councillor claims the lack of earth wires has created a serious health and safety problem.

Cllr Phipps said: “The lack of an earth cable could lead to a danger of electric shocks and even fires so this is a serious issue.

“I have major concerns over the audit and inspection of work within our housing department.”

Cllr Phipps attended a meeting with furious residents from the three tower blocks who were alerted to the problem by letter.

He said: “Residents received letters to schedule a time for a safety upgrade to take place in their flat.

“This upgrade is in fact the installation of a main water earth bond cable. The residents are obviously worried about this issue, as am I.”

He added:”It seems that in this instance one of our partners had work carried out in these buildings to replace gas meters as far back as April 2015.

“Only now are residents receiving this letter stating they need this work done to bring it up to the decent homes standard and for it to comply with electrical regulations.”

Cllr Phipps has written to several council officers concerning the potential health and safety issues.

He added: “As of yet, the potential danger of the gas meters hasn’t yet been determined by council officers and clearly, the post-works inspection regime is either totally inadequate or being ignored with potentially dangerous results.

“While it originally took over two weeks to get a response, it does now seem to be that this issue is being looked into with the appropriate seriousness and the work is scheduled to start taking place this week.”

No one from Dudley Council was available for comment as the News went to press.