New phone number for power cuts

There’s a new FREE number to call if you have a power cut
105 is a new number that you can call to report or get information about a power cut. It will put you through to your local electricity network operator – the company that manages the cables, wires and substations that bring electricity into homes and businesses in your area.
105 is a free service for people in England, Scotland and Wales, and you can call the number from most landlines and mobile phones. It doesn’t matter who you choose to buy your electricity from - anyone can call 105.
You can also call 105 if you spot damage to electricity power lines and substations that could put you, or someone else, in danger. If there’s a serious immediate risk, call the emergency services too.
Don’t be left in the dark.  Call 105.
To find out more, visit powercut105.com
POWER CUT TIPS
What should I do during a power cut?

• Switch off all electrical appliances that shouldn’t be left unattended, ready for when the power comes back on.

• Leave a light on so you know when the power cut has been resolved.

• Check to see if your neighbours are okay.

• Wrap up warm.

• Contact your electricity network operator to report the power cut, either by calling 105 or via their other channels. Visitpowercut105.com for details of your local network operator.

• Keep a torch handy – it’s much safer than using candles.

• Get a battery-powered or wind-up radio (useful for keeping up to date with relevant local news).

• Keep warm – keep a blanket and warm clothing handy, and fill a vacuum flask or hot water bottle.

• Stock your cupboard with food and drink that doesn’t require electricity to prepare it.

• Keep your mobile phone and laptop fully charged.

• Check your network operator’s website or social media channels for updates.

• Cordless phones probably won’t work during a power cut. They take their power from the mains and most don’t have battery back-up.

• Traditional corded phones will work – you might want to keep one handy so you can plug it in and make phone calls if you have a power cut.

• In most cases, mobile phones will work if they are charged.

How can I prepare for a power cut?
Can I use my phone during a power cut?
I’m on the Priority Services Register. Should I now call 105?
The Priority Services Register is for people who might need extra support during a power cut; for example, people who need electricity for vital medical equipment. If you are on the Register and you have a power cut, you should continue to call the phone number that you have been given.

Update on new electricity substation at Nibley

The work relating to the new electricity substation at Nibley slipped from October. The shutdown is now expected to happen on 21st May, with work prior to that which will involve digging up the road.

Electricity works in Westerleigh

Yesterday Claire Young contacted Western Power Distribution after a Westerleigh resident complained that their contractors had stopped her accessing her drive and that the bus stops were suspended. I was reassured by a council officer that the bus services are still operating, picking up and putting down as close to the original stops as it is safe to do so.

Today Claire has spoken with the person responsible for the works in Westerleigh village. Normally the contractors would have notified residents verbally if they were doing work that would obstruct access, so he will follow up on this. He also explained that the purpose of the work is to reinforce the network, to increase capacity and make it more robust. These works are part of a wider programme covering a wide arc from Coalpit Heath via Henfield, Ram Hill and outlying areas around the abattoir, through Westerleigh and ending up at Says Court Farm. Hopefully it should mean fewer power cuts in future, though you can never eliminate problems entirely.

Work on Nibley substation planned for October

Last year Claire Young got in contact with Western Power after residents raised concerns about a new substation that had been installed on an area of open grass at Nibley. The wrong size box had been used and it was installed the wrong way round, so it overhung its concrete base.

Claire recently got in touch with the company again to find out why the problems still hadn't been corrected and to ask about a pole that is leaning over. Western Power say that the work to connect the new substation to the high voltage network will start on October 23rd 2014 and will involve traffic lights and the closure of Nibley Lane (the Badminton Road to Iron Acton stretch).

The existing building will be changed to one the correct size for the plinth and the poles changed and the old ones removed at the same time. Western Power assure residents that the old pole is not a danger, it had been identified as needing changing in the next 10 years so they will do it at the same time as the rest of the work.

The delay has been because they have been inundated with customer requests for new connections, cable diversions and generator connections, which take priority over internal works.

Electricity supply in Coalpit Heath

At the Parish Plan Open Day on Saturday, a resident raised the issue of frequent power cuts in Coalpit Heath. In particular, they felt that they were often off when the Winterbourne area (which they can see from their home) was not.

Claire Young checked with the electricity supply company, Central Networks, who investigated. They found that in the last 2 years there has only been one high voltage outage (which would affect a wide area) but several low voltage outages that would be more local. They could not compare with the Winterbourne area as they don't supply it.

The engineer advised that the reoccurring fuse operations on the low voltage side have been cleared off the network with the overlaying of cable. There have been a series of faults with totally unconnected causes some of which were entirely beyond the company's control so there are no actions they can take which would have avoided these unfortunate events.

They have promised to continue to monitor the performance of the circuit and produce an action plan if a trend of poor performance is noted. In the meantime, if anyone has any further concerns they can call Central Networks on 0121 530 8224 and one of the Customer Liaison Team will be more than happy to help.