Compensation unlikely - despite four power cuts in one month in Gosberton and Quadring

Power went out - again - in Gosberton and Quadring on Sunday (July 29) , the latest in at least four significant power cuts in a month.

Around 1,433 properties were affected this time after power went out at around 6.41am.

Western Power Distribution managed to restore power to about a third of properties within the hour, but some didn’t have power until around 3.50pm.

It follows incidents on July 2, July 7 and July 15 with brief interruptions to the service the following day (July 16).

But it seems unlikely that people will be getting compensation as the circumstances of the cuts do not fit the guidelines under the regulatory body the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), according to Western Power. Click here to view the circumstances of when compensation is payable.

South Holland District Councillor Colin Johnson, (Conservative) who represents the Gosberton, Quadring and Donington ward, said: “Western Power needs to investigate and solve the problem. This is not an acceptable level of service.

“The service needs to be maintained. There is also the impact on the vulnerable and people who need medical equipment.”

District Coun Jane King (Independent), who represents the same ward, said: “I understand the frustration that people are feeling. I think they need to make their voices heard to their suppliers and say enough is enough.”

"Western Power needs to investigate and solve the problem. This is not an acceptable level of service."

A spokesperson for Western Power Distribution said that the latest power cut was due to a high voltage underground cable fault, near the junction of Watergate and Town Drove in Quadring, but it is not known what caused the fault.

"Engineers attended and were able to isolate the fault and re-route supplies to approximately a third of the properties within the hour," the spokesperson said.

"The remaining properties were restored in stages with everyone back on supply by 15:50."

Repairs to the underground cable were underway on Tuesday.

Although the previous faults have been on the same circuit, Western Power says they have been unrelated. However, they are carrying out a review of the circuit to see if there is anything else that can be done to help minimise any further disruption.

Some 1,557 properties were affected by the first three power cuts and Western Power has apologised for the disruption to supplies.

Power first went out at 6.43pm on July 2, with customers having their supplies restored in stages. Everyone was back on supply by 8.04pm.

Western Power says no fault was found that time.

The second power cut was on July 7 at 6pm. Supplies were restored in stages until everyone was back on supply by 7.28pm.

Western Power says its engineers replaced a pole mounted transformer that faulted.

On Sunday, July 15, power went out at 8.59pm with the majority of properties having their electricity restored within three minutes but some had to wait until 11.47pm. A ground mounted transformer faulted and had to be replaced.

Western Power launched a helicopter after the cut on July 15 to check overhead lines.

SEE ALSO:

Helicopter patrols power lines at Quadring and Gosberton

Gosberton and Quadring Good Neighbour Scheme is ready to roll