cutting off a gas supply for maintenance overnight

Just been speaking to a mate, who due to the fact that the gas board (or their chosen company) are digging up half of his estate, has had his gas supply turned off all day for "essential maintenance". He got home tonight and the gas is still off and won't be turned back on till tomorrow. Obviously he's a bit miffed coz it's a tad chilly out there tonight.

But is that legit? I thought if a company is doing maintenance they had a duty to reinstate the supply at the end of the day? They claim they told him about it but big companies and ****** are never far apart.

Has he got a right to claim back anything from them since he's got no heating or way to cook food?

Do the neighbours have gas?

He didn't mention. Suspect the flat below doesn't since it'll be on the same feed. But the gas supplier has been randomly digging up bits of the street so I've got a feeling its just "his turn"

If they cut off the street then they are supposed to ring on the doors before re-instating the supply. This is because of a) pilot lights, b) some people might turn on the stove to find no gas and leave it in the on position and then go out for the night. Meanwhile, supply is restored and you come home from the pub, light up a fag and....

....eat a doner kebab.....

Local kebab shop also running on gas.