01 November 2010 14:06 Central Networks heads sky high to check Leicestershire and Northants power lines

Central Networks, the electricity distribution company for central England, is carrying out a series of fly-by inspections of overhead power lines across Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.

Jim O'Sullivan, Director of Infrastructure Services at Central Networks, said: "Our engineers will be inspecting thousands of electricity poles and miles of power lines to spot any potential hazards to our network. Using a helicopter is the quickest and safest way we can carry out this important work.

"The inspections will help us plan our investment and maintenance work more effectively and ensure the reliability of the network."

Patrols will run throughout November, depending on weather conditions. Once complete the helicopter patrols will move onto other parts of the Central Networks region.

The overhead checks follow summer inspections of Central Networks' largest electricity towers and higher voltage sections of the overhead network.

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 contact:

Victoria Blake on 02476 181 304