More Power Misery For Woking

Following an underground cable fault a power cut affecting over 200 homes in the Mount Hermon area of Woking occurred last night. Engineers worked through the night and UK Power have issued information via their website that the weather too, has had a negative impact on power supplies in the area.

'UK Power Networks staff will be working into the night to reconnect power supplies to customers across the South East of England affected by today's strong winds.

Power supplies have been restored to the majority of the customers affected. It is difficult to predict when all supplies will be restored, however our engineers are making good progress on repair work.

Extra staff have been on duty today and specialist teams, including engineers and tree cutters, have been working from area-to-area making the network safe and reconnecting power supplies. The interruptions are mainly affecting small pockets of customers dotted across the regions, where storm-force winds and torrential rain have brought fallen trees andbranches intocontact with overhead power lines, cutting off power supplies in some areas and damaging the electricity network.

We have been asking members of the public to report any fallen power lines they see to us and to keep well away for their own safety. Anyone who has a power interruption can also contact our helpline on 0800 783 8838 for the East of England and 0800 783 8866 for the South East. These numbers can also be called free from a landline to report power cuts to us.

If you are currently without power and have either spoken to one of our advisers, or heard a recorded message with information about a fault in your area, then rest assured we will reach you as quickly as possible. Please avoid phoning the call centre repeatedly to keep the lines free for those reporting public safety incidents or faults we are not aware of.

We know how uncomfortable it is being without electricity in these circumstances and would like to thank customers for their understanding.

If you are affected by a power cut, we advise customers to:

Check to see if your neighbours are also without power. They may have already reported it to us. If not ring our power cut helpline to check we are aware of the fault (numbers above)

Turn off electrical equipment, except a light to show when power is restored

Keep curtains and furniture away from heaters to avoid fires

Avoid using candles and never leave them in unoccupied rooms

Never move a bottled gas or oil heater when it is lit

Cut out draughts by drawing the curtains

Keep a torch nearby

Keep warm by staying in one room or even in bed. Central heating boilers won't work without electricity. If you use another form of heating, use it safely

Don't open the freezer unless it's really necessary. If you have to, close it again quickly and put a blanket over it to keep the cold in. Food should stay frozen for several hours

Keep a phone in the house which is not dependent on a power supply

Street lights may also be off, so take care if you go out

Keep an eye on elderly or ill people living nearby. If you have a gas cooker, try to make sure they have some hot food or drink, even if it's a flask of water

Notify us if you are aware of any vulnerable person who may need assistance'

More details and updates can be found on the website http://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/products-services/networks/index.shtml  as well as details of how to report power cuts.