No need to apologise Chris, it confused me and I had to check a couple of times before writing to them

Lexi said:

I really just want the connections brought to the outside wall - they are currently in the downstairs loo!

I see the problem, especially if you want to add an EVCP.

I feel sure that the DNO would do the work, but they would charge you. No harm in asking for a quote.

At the point the DNO do get involved, it may be quite a palarvar - following a few nasty flash and pop incidents with metal heads and older cables, and the asbestos question, some DNOs will no longer even open them. Instead, the preference is to dig up the road or garden, disconnect the main cable, cut the head off and then rejoint, maybe with a length of new cable into the property.

If you were feeling rebellious and needed to move things on, you could get them to come and look very quickly by calling and saying you thought you could smell hot tar,..
Mike

UKPN wanted 600mm separation electricity from gas a few years ago.  I dont know if this is a DNO standard or a local rule.

The meter changer's hand book says to raise a problem report if it is within 150mm - see here https://www.eusr.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Guidance-for-Electricity-Gas-Meter-Installation-Customer-Facing-Issues.pdf

pages 37 and 38....

Examples include
• Electricity meter is installed close to gas pipes or gas equipment (i.e. less than required
150mm separation).
• Meters currently installed within, or close to hazardous environments.
• Meter position which may be subjected to current or future damage.
• The current position of the meter could mean that work activity currently being undertaken
on site could impact on the future access to the meter or safety of the installed equipment.
Actions
In order to complete the work remedial action may need to be taken by the consumer / landlord or
housing authority to allow adequate access.

Mike

hence them installing ducting and insulation

Or might be just normal (modern) water bye-laws requirement (I think insulation needed if buried <750mm deep outside or against an outside wall inside) - and insulation needs ducting when buried to stop the insulation being compressed.

   - Andy.

mapj1 said:

If you were feeling rebellious and needed to move things on, you could get them to come and look very quickly by calling and saying you thought you could smell hot tar,..

Or, could I see evidence of woodworm on the back-board?

Serious woodworm there!

woodworm are a slower moving threat than suspected overheating and a fire risk

The problem with woodworm is only when trying to isolate, when the fuse is a bit stiff in its holder and to remove it requires someone pulling like a demented gorilla, when instead of the fuse being pulled out,  and the supply safely isolated, the board breaks and the whole lot falls off the wall, in the worst case straining the lead clad paper insulated cable beyond its safe curvature limit  in a way that causes a dead short  cross the unfused supply....

Rare,  but apparently not totally unknown,.Woodworm or asbestos may get them to refuse to touch it  to fit a smart meter, overheating on the other hand will get them to inspect, and probably change, the service head probably un-opened, as soon as possible.

It is however a tactic to use with care if it really does not look like it might have been hot..

Mike

I'm a bit surprised it is a sold floor as houses of that vintage are normally wooden floor boards,

I've seen a few with some select areas with solid floor - typically where it was expected to be wet or have to carry large loads - e.g. what was originally the coal hole or scullery, or downstairs/ouside toilet.

   - Andy.