17 December 2004 00:00 Local MP sees the future of electricity

Local MP Adrian Bailey was able to see newly-trained engineers in action when he visited Central Networks, the electricity distribution company for the East and West Midlands, at Tipton.

The site on Toll End Road is home to the company’s Learning and Skills Centre dedicated to the training of electrical distribution skills for the Central Networks region. Trainee engineers complete structured training programmes learning their trade, climbing pylons, maintaining switchgear and repairing faults on overhead and underground cables.

Mr Bailey, the Labour member for West Bromwich West, spent the morning with Central Networks Managing Director Bob Taylor looking round the site and hearing about the company’s investment plans for the region.

“I was delighted to see that this important training work is being carried out right here in Tipton” said Adrian. “It’s great for our area that Central Networks is showing a commitment to our town.”

The trip also saw a visit to the company’s 24-hour emergency incident room, where staff direct engineers straight to power problems across the region. mf

Central Networks Managing Director Bob Taylor said: “We’re always keen to work closely with our local representatives. Adrian took a great interest in our investment plans for the next year and was pleased to see how much work is going on in Tipton.”

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.
• Adrian Bailey MP has been the Labour member for West Bromwich West since November 2000. His constituency includes Great Bridge, Oldbury, Tipton and Wednesbury.

For further information contact:
Colin Barker on 020 7826 2726