More than 700 homes lose electricity after power line brought down
More than 700 homes lost power after a line was brought down near Stafford by a digger, an electricity supplier has said.
The incident happened near Creswell Grove on March 27 and left hundreds of homes without electricity for half an hour – but more than 150 properties did not have power restored for more than two and a half hours.
Construction work has been taking place on a new development at Strawsons Field, just off Junction 14 of the M6.
A Western Power Distribution spokeswoman said: “A total of 702 households were affected at 1.29pm and we got 550 properties back on at 1.48pm. The remainders’ power was restored at 3.52pm.
“One of the lines was brought down by a digger and we had to raise the line and make safe. It was all done by 3.52pm.”
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service was also called to the scene on Friday, March 27. A spokesperson for the service said: “Firefighters were called to a report of a small grass fire on Creswell Grove in Stafford just before 1.30pm on March 27.
“A crew from Stafford attended and extinguished the small fire, believed to have been caused by a damaged electricity cable. The incident was left with Western Power.”
The incident was also reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Stafford Borough Council.
A HSE spokesperson said: “HSE is aware of the incident and is making initial enquiries.”
Creswell Grove resident Michael Craney said he heard the incident from his home. He added: “There was a massive explosion. Twenty or 30 residents have filed a complaint with health and safety.”
The site manager declined to comment.
Stafford Borough Council approved two planning applications for land next to Junction 14 in March 2019 – one for a massive new development including a 60-bed hotel and business units and the other for a petrol station and drive through coffee shop.
Small offices, light industrial and warehouse units, a pub, day nursery and community meeting place have also been earmarked for the 7.2 hectare (17.8 acre) site south of Creswell Grove.
