News story

22 November 2000

MP CALLS FOR INQUIRY ON REPEATED POWER CUTS IN THORNBURY AREA

Northavon MP Steve Webb is to seek an investigation into the repeated power cuts which residents in the Thornbury area have been experiencing. The MP has been contacted by a number of local residents and local councillors who have reported suffering considerable disruption and inconvenience arising from failures of the electriticty supply. Although individual instances are usually investigated and explained, the MP is to seek an inquiry into whether there is an underlying problem which is not being addressed and which is leading to a high incidence of power failures. He said he would be writing both to NPower and also to the electricity regulator, OFGEM, to ask them to look into the situation.

Commenting, Steve Webb said:

“The situation has become so bad that some residents tell me that they now always have a supply of torches and candles on hand so that they are prepared for the next power cut. I have often taken up individual power cuts with the companies involved, but am now concerned that there may be an underlying problem which is not being addressed. Local residents have a right to expect a reliable electricity supply, and they are clearly not getting it at the moment.”


** ENDS **