08 July 2004 00:00 Central Networks expects all storm-affected customers to be back on power by tonight – helicopter flies lines

Central Networks said at 1400hrs today (JULY 8) that it expects all customers affected by yesterday’s storm to be back on power by the end of the day.

In addition, the company, which runs the electricity distribution business for the East and West Midlands, has been using a helicopter in the West Midlands to assess storm damage.

Bob Taylor, Managing Director of Central Networks, said: “Our engineers are confident that they’ll be able to get everyone who lost power as a result of yesterday’s freak summer storm back on by the end of the day.

“It’s been hard work, with our engineers in the field long into the night yesterday and out again first thing this morning, and we’ve managed to get more than 100,000 customers back on power.

“We’ve also decided to check over the network in the West Midlands with a helicopter – which gives us the ability to take a look at long sections of our overhead line very quickly.”

Customers in the East Midlands who are still without power should ring 0800 056 8090. Customers in the West Midlands who are still without power should ring 08457 331 331.

Ends

Notes to editors:
• The helicopter will be flying the lines in the north West Midlands today and in the southern part of Central Networks in the West tomorrow;
• Central Networks is the new name for Midlands Electricity and East Midlands Electricity. The company brings power to 4.8 million customers across the East and West Midlands through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables and via almost 97,000 substations;
• Central Networks covers an area from the Peak District in the north to the suburbs of Bristol in the south, and from the Welsh Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast.

For more information contact:
Jonathan Smith on 024 7642 5741
Out of hours ring 024 7642 4000 and ask to speak to the duty press officer