A pensioner is up in arms after discovering a charge is being added to his gas bill because of his connection to the network.

Eric Freeman, 77, of Bridport Way, Braintree, has also found that some gas companies will not supply him certain tariffs because an independent gas transporter (IGT) pipes the gas to his property, rather than the National Grid.


IGTs will charge the gas companies money to use their supply pipe, and this charge is then passed on to the consumer.

Retired BT planning manager Mr Freeman said: “I could be saving £166 a year with another gas company, but they won’t supply me because they would have to pay the IGT charge."

EnergyLinx, an energy broker, has been campaigning to stop more and more houses being built with independent gas transporters installing the network.


A spokesman said: “If you are served by an independent gas transporter's (IGT), you may find that the price you pay for gas is slightly higher than the standard published price provided by the gas supplier.


“This is because the gas supplier must pay both the National Grid and the IGT to deliver gas through the pipes to your home."