27 August 2010 14:23 MP tour shines light on hard work

Andrew Bridgen, Conservative Member of Parliament for North West Leicestershire, took time out of his busy schedule recently to learn more about local energy distributor, Central Networks.

Paying a visit to the Central Networks head office at Castle Donington, he met Managing Director John Crackett who explained what Central Networks does to keep the lights on. John also spoke about the new apprentices coming into the business and the need in the future for a smarter network to help keep costs low and the network reliable.

Customer Operations Manager, Phil Wilson, described how vulnerable customers are looked after, including the distribution of crisis packs and a Customer Service Vehicle which visits customers in need of support in the unlikely event of a power cut.

Phil Wilson said: "Our crisis packs contain essential items for use during a power cut, like a blanket, a hand warmer, a torch with batteries, an analogue phone and information on how to stay safe when there's no power.  It was great to be able to show our local MP first-hand what we are doing to make life easier for our customers"

Andrew Bridgen MP said: "I was pleased to see the job Central Networks are doing to keep the lights on for not just North West Leicestershire but the whole of the East Midlands from the base in Castle Donington. The crisis blankets are an excellent innovation, although I hope they don't have to be used too often in North West Leicestershire."

Other topics covered on the visit included the danger caused by copper theft from substations and the importance of education about safety around electricity.

 Ends

Notes to editors:

• Central Networks provides a reliable supply to 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 and images, contact:

Alisha Allen on 02476 192 063