The public are unprepared for power cuts, warns Northern Powergrid

Northern Powergrid has launched a regional power cut awareness campaign, following research findings that the majority of people do not know which steps to take if adverse weather results in power cuts.

Following last winter’s widespread cuts Northern Powergrid is urging the public to make use of its call centres and priority services register in the event of further disruption this winter.

Independent research commissioned by the company across 24 urban, rural and coastal areas in the North East, Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, found that eight out of 10 people did not know who to call if their lights went out and seven out of 10 people would not check on a neighbour during a power cut.

The company is also encouraging customers who may need extra support to sign-up to its Priority Services Register which offers additional support to people with a disability, medical condition or very young families, who may need greater assistance during a power cut, by keeping them updated as a priority.

Kelly Graham, Northern Powergrid’s head of customer service, said: “We invest one million pound every day in the region’s network to make it safe and reliable but sometimes storms and harsh winter weather can damage our network causing power cuts.”

She added, “Reconnecting the network quickly is always our priority and with 3.9 million people relying on us we want to ensure our customers know how to report and manage a temporary break in their power supply, and remember to check on relatives or neighbours they may have in their street.”

The campaign is being run through region-wide radio advertisements and a regional roadshow.