22 January 2007 00:00 UPDATE – Central Networks confident all customers affected by weather will be back on power by the end of the day – 1130hrs

Central Networks is now confident that all customers affected by the stormy weather on Thursday, Friday and Saturday will be returned to power by the end of today.

Those remaining without power are in small pockets spread across the various counties still affected but engineers are continuing to work into their fifth day.

Jim Lightfoot, Director of Operations and Asset Manager, said: “We’re making very good progress and we’re confident that everyone who was affected by those terrible winds will be back on by the end of the day.

“We understand people’s frustrations but I can assure them that our engineers are determined to get everyone back on today.”

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