Gas meter box

[rosebud46]

We have a gas meter box on an outside wall,to read this meter or turn the gas of we have to go over someone elses ground(through a gate from the road) she refuses to give us a key for the gate to be able to do this.
The question is is she legally allowed to stop us from doing this and can she legally make us move the meter box.This gas box has been there for about 10yrs.
Thanks for your reply.
Jane

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

I would presume there was some kind of legal agreement or permission granted for the box to be sited in its current postion in the first place, what has changed? Right of way/easements for access are usually written into the property deeds.

If you have a right of way to access the meter then she cannot stop you!

 

[Biggles..]

Your entitled by law to have access to all sides of your property to carry out maintenance.

 

[joe-90]

You have to go to court though.

 

[45yearsagasman]

You should give notice in writing of your intention and if access is refused then a court order will be required.For repairs and maintenance access is allowed under the 1992 garden law access to neighbouring land act.(courtesy of Google)

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Access to Neighbouring Land Act is useful when you plan to paint the house/clean the gutters/pollard a tree/whatever. What happens when you need to read the meter or turn gas off in an emergency?

If there was a gas escape at the property, so OP rings National Grid and gets the standard advice. Then OP says 'Sorry! Cant turn gas off at meter. The neighbour wont allow me access!' Meanwhile house is filling with gas, and a there is then potential for an explosion until someone can get access to the meter to isolate the supply... NG engineer turns up, neighbour still refuses to cooperate, then Police could be required to gain access.

If there was/is a legal agreement to allow access to the meter then the OP has a good case to invoke legal proceedings. If not, they're on shaky ground and it would probably be cheaper to get the meter moved......