Urgent repairs under way to fix power cuts fault in Linslade
Urgent repairs to prevent further power cuts affecting around 250 homes in Linslade are expected to be completed by the end of the week.
Repairs are now under way following complaints from residents left without power after two major blackouts in the space of a month.
Engineers from UK Power Networks, which maintains the area’s electricity network, are currently on site following an investigation using specialist equipment, including heat sensors to pinpoint an intermittent underground cable fault at its Lomond Drive substation.
The substation supplies power to around 250 homes in and around Lomond Drive, Calder Gardens, Maree Close, Morar Close and Nevis Close.
Residents reported power cuts which affected card payments at Tesco Express and interrupted viewing of England’s World Cup matches back in June.
Electricity has been temporarily routed to homes from another source while the damaged cable is repaired with work expected to be completed by the end of the week.
UKPN has apologised saying it does not expect any further outages once the works are finished.
A spokesperson added: “Engineers worked as quickly as possible to restore power to 280 customers in the Leighton Buzzard area, following two recent power cuts.
“Supplies were restored in stages by 21.35 after an interruption at 19.15 on June 23, and by 16.06 after the second at 13.44 on July 20.
“Engineers have repaired equipment at a local substation and returned the network to normal. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
Alex Mayer MP, who raised concerns over the power blackouts, said: “This has been a real pain for people who work from home interrupting important video calls and for everyone else trying to cook a meal or turn on the lights. Everyone needs to get on with lives without worrying that the power will suddenly go off.
“As soon as residents alerted me to the problem, I contacted UK Power Networks to find out what was going wrong, and importantly, how they were going to fix it. I’m pleased permanent repairs are now under way.
"Of course, the real test will be whether the power cuts stop for good, so I’ll continue to keep a close eye on the situation.”