RESIDENTS have been left without heating and hot water due to delays with deliveries of fuel.

Problems with deliveries of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) saw residents left in the cold.

Assembly Member for Carmarthenshire East and Dinefwr, Adam Price has asked for intervention from the Welsh Government to support vulnerable people.

The Plaid Cymru AM said constituents from three different villages had contacted him this week to express their concerns that their gas supply had not been delivered.

A Brynaman resident told Mr Price she had gone days without heating, despite initially turning off her gas supply periodically as it was down to two per cent with no idea as to when their order would be honoured.

Another resident, from Penygroes, who has an automated system to notify his supplier when the KPG supply goes below 25 per cent, told his Assembly Member he has been waiting since January for a delivery and is currently relying on a portable heater to keep his elderly mother warm.

MR Price has made representations to the cabinet secretary for energy, asking her to investigate the problems.

He also sought assurances from Carmarthenshire County Council, that they would support the most vulnerable households.

He added: “I have been genuinely horrified to learn of the problems some of my constituents are experiencing, particularly as we have had some very cold weather in recent weeks.

“My initial enquiries suggest there has been a wider problem across the UK, but its clear this has a significant impact upon rural communities that are off the mains gas grid. Those consumers are already paying more for the energy bills and these delays are additional burden.

“I’m particularly concerned by the support for our more vulnerable residents who cannot be without a supply of energy for their homes.

“It is imperative that suppliers consider its priority customers when dealing with the backlog.

“I’ve asked the Welsh Government to examine the wider problems gas suppliers are having and offer guidance to those who are affected. Some residents have told me this is not the first time they have had problems with deliveries.

“There is clearly a broader problem which needs which needs addressing in the future.

“Nobody should be in a position where they are without heating or having to turn off their supply during cold weather for fear that their delivery will not come.”