05 Dec 2023

Cumbria

Final few properties being restored as engineers complete network repairs

Cumbria snow overhead line repair

Engineers from Electricity North West are now restoring the final few properties affected by the snowstorm that hit Cumbria, having reconnected 99% of the 15,500 properties by Monday. 

Teams again worked into the night carrying out extensive repair work whilst battling the bitter cold and difficult road conditions.  

Today, engineers are completing the last repairs and rebuilds on a section of the network which had 13 separate pieces of damage to the overhead lines and equipment.  

Electricity North West’s customer team are continuing to proactively contact customers, providing free hot food and drink for those affected and, in some cases, delivering direct to the customers' door.  

Stephanie Trubshaw, Electricity North West’s customer director, said: “This has been an incredibly difficult time for our customers who have been impacted and I want to thank them for the support they have shown our teams working on site and the incredible community spirit we have seen. 

“Our teams again worked incredibly hard and well into the night to ensure we were able to restore power to more properties that had been affected by the extreme snow.  

“Work is well underway carrying out more repair work and we won’t stop until the last home is reconnected.  

“Conditions are still difficult in the rural parts of Cumbria with snow blocking roads and many footpaths icy and we are asking everybody to take care and look out for each other.” 

More than 50 separate incidents of damage have been reported on the network, mainly caused by trees that were covered in snow falling onto the overhead power lines nearby.  

Electricity North West is also working with catering outlets to provide hot meals and drinks for those still affected. These can be found at:  

  • The White Hart, Wear Bridge, Ulverston, LA12 8JB 
  • Food van at Hand Made Ice Cream Company, LA12 7RT 

Electricity North West is also reminding customers that should they see any damage to the network, they should stay clear and report the damage by calling 105.