Exposed gas pipes in a private estate in Ore have been branded a 'hazard'.
Pete Etherton, who looks after the maintenance in Leeds Close, claimed the yellow pipes which provide gas to around 50 residents, could cause a massive explosion if vandalised.
He said he has repeatedly asked Southern Gas Network, the company res
ponsible for laying the pipes six months ago, to return and finish the work but without success.
Mr Etherton said: "The gas pipe has been exposed for six months and it's a miracle no one has vandalised it.
"It's a potential hazard and highly dangerous. If someone cut through the pipes there would be an explosion that would be so loud you would be able to hear it in Newhaven.
"I have been chasing Southern Gas Network to finish the work since January but I still haven't had any joy.
"Residents here can't believe this has been allowed to happen.
"Children also play in the area near the exposed pipes."
A spokesman for Southern Gas Network said: "We were working six months ago in Leeds Close to lay gas mains pipes.
"At the time we needed a mechanical digger brought in but because of the time of year the ground was very soggy. Digging there would have caused a lot of damage to the ground itself.
"Over the winter we had to wait until the ground was dry.
"We tried to go back two weeks ago but the caretaker of the private estate wanted to have a street meeting with us.
"That meeting took place between us and residents on Tuesday of which the outcome was positive.
"We intend to be back in the area to cover the exposed pipes within the next couple of weeks."