22 January 2007 00:00 UPDATE – Just 550 customers left without power in Central Networks area – 1400hrs

Central Networks now has just 550 left without power after Thursday’s severe gales and is confident that all of them will be returned by the end of today (MON).

Those remaining without power are in small pockets spread across the various counties still affected (see table) but engineers are continuing to work to ensure that everyone is returned before the end of the day.

Jim Lightfoot, Director of Operations and Asset Manager, said: “The restoration work has gone very well today, with our teams moving quite quickly to get everyone back on power.

“We’re confident that everyone will be back on by the end of the day and that we can start the job of making our temporary repairs permanent.

“We’re very aware of how long this has taken but our overhead network was battered by Thursday’s storm, which some people believe was the worst we’ve faced in the UK for 17 years.”

County Approximate numbers
Coventry & Warwickshire 0
Derbyshire 131
Gloucestershire 0
Herefordshire and Worcestershire 63
Leicestershire 2
Lincolnshire 152
Northamptonshire 0
Nottinghamshire 138
Shropshire 0
Staffordshire 73
West Midlands 0

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
Ellie King 024 7618 3678
ISDN is available on 024 7642 5147