18,000 homes hit by power cut due to fault

Around 18,000 homes in Walsall were left without power in the second blackout in the area within weeks following a huge failure in the electricity supply network.

Power was returned to properties after engineers carried out repairs to a fault on the high voltage system yesterday afternoon.

Properties in Palfrey were among those affected at 3.20pm yesterday in the WS1 postcode area. In a separate power cut a total of 1,447 homes and businesses in Oldbury and Rowley Regis were left without power due to an underground cable fault.

Vice-chairman of Palfrey and Caldmore Neighbourhood Watch Vija Kainth said he received several phone calls from concerned residents when the power failed in roads including Countess Street, Milton Street and Earl Street.

"These power failures are becoming a regular occurrence which is of great concern to residents," Mr Kainth said.

"A few weeks ago there was a big black out in Willenhall as well.

"I was one of those affected this time round, but I took quite a few phone calls from residents concerned about how long it would be off.

"The supply returned after about 30 minutes which was a relief."

Leamore resident Stephen Thornton, aged 28, said: "My power went on and off for a bit yesterday afternoon.

"It was a bit annoying because we were watching a film as a family.

"It seems to happening quite a bit lately. Thankfully, it didn't last for too long."

Central Networks spokesman Scott Somerville said: "There were 18,000 customers affected right across the town.

"Some power was restored at 3.30pm and everyone was back up by 6.20pm. We managed to get a huge chunk back within 10 minutes.

"We apologise to our customers for the loss of supply due to a fault on a high voltage network."

The fault was not blamed on the weather.