Power firm remains on stand-by

NEDL is responsible for power to 1.5 million properties

Extra staff and equipment are on alert to avert major disruption due to arctic weather conditions, power bosses have pledged.

Tens of thousands of people from the Scottish Borders down to Lincolnshire and across to Cumbria suffered blackouts over the New Year.

But only those who suffered more than 48 hours without power were eligible for compensation under statutory rules.

Now Northern Electric Distribution Limited (NEDL), which came in for criticism from consumers, says it has taken steps to combat the freezing conditions and snow blizzards forecast across the country.

A spokesman for the company said an emergency plan had been put into operation in an attempt to preserve electricity supplies.

He said: "We are continuing to monitor the progress of the arctic weather conditions expected to hit the North East region.

Helicopter crews have flown into the area and have been put on standby in case they need to patrol the region NEDL spokesman

"The Met Office reports are now being monitored on an hourly basis and this has already triggered NEDL's emergency plan in readiness for the impact of the expected snowstorms.

"The emergency plan covers increasing staffing levels in line with the emergency.

"Staff are being stood down from normal duties and plans are in place to bring in employees from neighbouring distribution businesses if required.

"A fleet of generators have been mobilised to strategic areas, and our generator supplier has been put on alert to provide extra support where needed.

"Helicopter crews have flown into the area and have been put on standby in case they need to patrol the region.

Snapped lines

"Local councils have been contacted so they can put into place their emergency plans if needed."

NEDL is responsible for electricity to more than 1.5 million homes in the North East and North Yorkshire.

About 51,000 homes from the Borders down to North Yorkshire were cut off on New Years Eve, when a combination of freezing weather and high winds snapped power lines.

In Teesdale, the overhead line was brought down at eight separate points because of ice.

Most homes were reconnected within two days, but some, including Stainsby in Cleveland, were without power for three days.

Rules on compensation, which were introduced by industry regulator Ofgem in 2002, say that people without power for more than 48 hours can claim £25, plus another £25 for each subsequent 12 hour period.

NEDL says it restored power to 36,000 customers within 12 hours and had supplies to everyone else restored within a further 36 hours.