Power cuts misery for thousands in Tipton

Almost 7,000 homes and businesses in the Tipton area lost power today after two separate electricity failures.

The power went down in 6,000 properties in the southern part of Tipton from 9.35am.

This was due to a problem caused by a high voltage underground fault.

Properties in Halesowen were also believed to have been affected.

Central Networks said the issue was caused by damage to cables.

Around 15 minutes earlier the electricity had been cut off at 917 homes in north Tipton due to issues with overhead power lines.

Victoria Blake, from Central Networks, said: "Of the 6,000 homes and businesses in south Tipton whose power went down at 9.35am, the majority had thier supplies restored by 10.15am.

"At this point there were 1,057 homes without power.

"In addition to south Tipton this cut also affected addresses in Halesowen.

"Of the 917 affected by the earlier fault just five were without power after 10.15am."

Tipton has a total of 15,000 homes, with a significant proportion of the town affected.

Engineers were out on the streets of the town today battling to restore power to the remaining homes and businesses affected.

Haden Hill House Museum was affected for a short time from about 9.30am today.