27 May 2010 16:07 Central Networks issues safety warning to lorry drivers after second incident in Warwickshire this month

In the second incident of this kind in Warwickshire in less than two weeks, a tipper lorry driver has had a lucky escape after hitting an overhead power line with his tipper in Sherbourne near Warwick.

It is thought the lorry, which had its tipper in the raised position, came into contact with the live 11kV lines, owned by Central Networks, while dumping soil near Warwick Road.

Phil Wilson, Customer Operations Manager for Central Networks, said: "It's imperative that people are aware of the potential dangers posed by overhead lines and take care around them. You don't need to come into direct contact with a power line to risk injury or even death and the driver on this occasion had a narrow escape.

 "Construction teams working near our network can contact us for a proper assessment of the work area to ensure their equipment can be safely used."

On this occasion no homes went without power because of this action, however a similar incident in Ansley near Nuneaton earlier this month caused a power cut to 140 properties.

Central Networks produces a leaflet with advice for construction work which can be downloaded from http://www.central-networks.co.uk/.

Ends

Notes to editors:

• Central Networks, provides a reliable supply to around 10 million people in central England through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables - enough to go round the Earth more than three times - and via almost 94,000 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:

Victoria Blake on 02476 181304