28 September 2004 00:00 Central Networks launches pioneering CableSafe initiative to reduce injuries and power cuts

Central Networks is launching its successful CableSafe initiative in the West Midlands to help prevent local contractors from accidentally hitting electricity cables and risking serious injury or death.

Every year thousands of cables are damaged by third party contractors digging without prior knowledge of where the electricity lines are, leading to thousands of customers being left without power.

The CableSafe scheme has been successfully pioneered in the East Midlands, with staff giving contractors free access to detailed information on where cables are before they start digging..

In the East Midlands, cable damage has been reduced by around 20%, saving an estimated £500,000 in the process, and the team is now confident that that success can be transferred to the West Midlands.

Graham Coles from the CableSafe team said: “We believe nearly every case of cable damage in the West Midlands last year could have been avoided by people using the free CableSafe service.
“The service enables contractors to find out where cables are before they dig. Any contractor who starts work without knowing where our cables are is literally dicing with death.“

The pioneering scheme was originally established in 2002 in response to the thousands of power cables being damaged each year in the old East Midlands Electricity region.

Graham said: “We’re determined to build on our excellent record and encourage safe working practices near our cables in the west of the region.

“Third party damage is a real problem that affects the reliability of our electricity supply. We want to encourage contractors to proactively work with us so we can continue to reduce injuries and power cuts in our region.

“We strongly advise everyone to contact us at the planning stage, before work has started, for free advice and guidance.”

Underground cable carrying high voltage electricity could be anywhere and contractors that could end up digging near a cable should call 0800 0150 927 for free advice.

If you do damage a cable, call this number immediately 0800 0152059

Ends

Notes to editors:
•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 parts of Bristol in the south, and from the Welsh Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast.

For further information contact:
Jonathan Smith 024 7642 5741 or Rebecca Jackson on 024 7642 4583
Out of hours, call 024 7642 4000 and ask for the duty press officer