22 January 2007 00:00 UPDATE – Central Networks reduces numbers off power to 1,000 customers in East and West Midlands – 0830hrs

Central Networks engineers have reduced the number of customers still off power after the worst storms in the UK for 17 years by a further 200 in the past 90 minutes.

Those remaining without power are in small pockets spread across the various counties still affected (see table) but engineers have made good progress since early this morning.

County Approximate numbers
Coventry & Warwickshire 0
Derbyshire 326
Gloucestershire 2
Herefordshire and Worcestershire 49
Leicestershire 3
Lincolnshire 386
Northamptonshire 0
Nottinghamshire 320
Shropshire 0
Staffordshire 22
West Midlands 1

Customers can contact Central Networks on 0800 056 8090 (East Midlands) or 0800 328 1111 (West Midlands).

Ends

Notes to editors
* Power industry regulator Ofgem’s severe weather compensation rules for customers are now in operation. Customers who have been off power for 48 continuous hours will receive £25, with a further £25 for every continuous 12 hours thereafter, to a maximum of £200;
* Central Networks will contact all customers who qualify for compensation directly;
* Anyone who believes they have suffered genuine hardship as a result of exceptional circumstances should write to Customers Operations Manager, Central Networks, PO Box 7115, Castle Donington DE74 2TU with details of their claim;
* Central Networks is the electricity distribution company for central England, distributing electricity to 4.9m customers.

The media can call the below numbers for more information:
Jonathan Smith on 024 7618 3676
Rebecca Middleton on 024 7618 3677
Jane Branscombe on 024 7618 3681
ISDN is available on 024 7642 5147