Parts of Wisbech cut off from electricity for more than 18 hours after underground cable failure
NEARLY 200 homes and businesses in parts of Wisbech could be entitled to compensation after they were left without power for more than 18 hours. Power supplies were cut to more than 1,600 homes and businesses at 10.31pm Monday after a fault on a high-volt
Story by: TOM JACKSON
NEARLY 200 homes and businesses in parts of Wisbech could be entitled to compensation after they were left without power for more than 18 hours.
Power supplies were cut to more than 1,600 homes and businesses at 10.31pm Monday after a fault on a high-voltage underground cable.
Some of those homes and businesses, in New Drove and Boleness Road, did not have power restored until 4.52pm Tuesday - a total of 18 hours, 21 minutes.
That means they could be entitled to compensation from EDF Energy.
A statement from EDF Energy said: "Like all power distribution companies we operate to Guaranteed Standards set by our regulator, Ofgem, which sets the level of payments and when that would apply.
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"If there is a breakdown on our network we work hard to get the power back on as quickly as possible. However if it takes us more than 18 hours to restore power customers can claim a Guaranteed Standard payment of �50 for a residential customer, or �100 for business customers."
A total of 1,642 people were cut off when the cable failed on Monday. The failure also affected parts of Weasenham Lane, Leach Close, Thurloe Close, Harry's Way, Halfpenny Lane, Heron Road, Mikanda Close, Redwing Drive and Robin Mews.
Power was restored to 1,365 of those affected within two minutes, using other parts of the underground electricity network A further 79 customers were reconnected at 11.56pm.
An EDF Energy spokeswoman said: "A team of engineers and cable jointers worked throughout the day yesterday to locate and fix the fault, restoring power to 198 customers in stages at 11.35am and 4.52pm.
"Our engineers and cable jointers worked through the night and into the early hours today (3.17am) to complete the repairs.
"We do appreciate how difficult it is to be without electricity and would like to thank customers for their understanding while we carried out this work."
If you think you are eligible for compensation apply in writing, stating the date and time when you were off supply, to Customer Relations, Fore Hamlet, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 8AQ.
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