Patients have been advised to attend alternative minor injury units at Tavistock Hospital or urgent treatment centres at Derriford Hospital and the Cumberland Centre in Plymouth.
Wales and West Utilities said restoring gas supplies has been complicated by difficulties accessing a large number of properties, including second homes. Engineers must enter each affected building to isolate and safely reconnect gas supplies, meaning repeated visits have been necessary.
Gwyn Thomas, a spokesperson for the company, said engineers began restoring gas to Malborough on Sunday, with work in Kingsbridge starting earlier. He added that the cause of the pipe damage remains under investigation.
Residents who own or manage second homes have been urged to contact the company to ensure engineers can gain access and speed up the restoration process.
Community Support as Cold Weather Bites
Kingsbridge mayor Julia Wingate said the cold weather has made the situation more challenging for residents, particularly the elderly and vulnerable. Electric heaters, cooking hot plates and warm packs are being distributed across the community to help people stay safe.
She praised the response from local volunteers and council staff, saying the sense of community support has been vital. Residents struggling to stay warm have been encouraged to ask for help.
Town clerk Katherine Harrod said staff at Quay House in Kingsbridge have been handing out heaters and supplies throughout the day and are prepared to visit homes if required. She said efforts would continue until the issue is fully resolved.
Gradual Progress in Restoring Supply
Wales and West Utilities said Malborough was the first area where gas supplies could be restored after most properties were successfully isolated. By Sunday, engineers had visited around 90% of the 4,600 affected homes.
The company said it has robust plans in place to complete the work as quickly and safely as possible, with engineers continuing door-to-door checks until every property can be reconnected.
The outage comes amid wider winter pressures across the UK, with cold temperatures increasing risks for households left without heating and hot water. Local authorities and emergency services continue to monitor the situation closely.
