Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) continues to restore power to the remaining customers affected by the adverse weather in central southern England yesterday.

Since 6am yesterday morning, engineers have restored power to over 55,000 customers. As of 2pm today, around 750 customers remain without power in pockets of Oxfordshire. All customers have been contacted and offered welfare facilities.

Extra resources have been diverted to these areas and every effort is being made to restore supplies to customers as quickly and safely as possible. However, as access was gained this morning, several new faults and instances of multiple damage to the overhead network have been encountered, increasing the complexity of repairs and delaying restoration efforts.

SSEN is working to restore supplies to all customers during this afternoon and into this evening.

Welfare vans, serving free hot food and drinks, are currently in the following locations:

  • Catering van at Ascot Village Shops, OX7 6FY
  • Catering van at The Bell Inn Pub, 21 Market Square, Lower Heyford, OX25 5NY
  • Shipton Oliffe, The Quarry, Brockhampton, GL54 5XL
  • Stanton Fitz Warren, School Lane, Fairford, GL7 4HL
  • Rowleaze Cottages, East Hastings, SN7 4BL

Heavy snow and winds of up to 70mph caused damage to SSEN's overhead network, leading to disruption to customer supplies.The main areas affected were Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and parts of Berkshire. Access issues, including a number of road closures, hampered efforts to carry out repairs.

In preparation for yesterday's weather event, SSEN drafted in extra resources, with over 850 frontline and support staff on duty, and moved equipment to areas it expected to be most affected. Over 143,000 customers on its Priority Service Register were also proactively contacted to offer extra help and support.

Craig Gilroy, Director of Customer Operations for SSEN, said:

"Our teams are making good progress in restoring power to the last remaining homes affected by yesterday's extreme weather but have encountered some issues this morning with multiple faults on lines and additional damage."

"We have diverted extra resources to the Oxfordshire area, including contractors and engineers from other SSEN areas and are confident in restoring power to all customersthis evening."

"I would like to apologise to any customers who remain without power and encourage them to make use of the welfare facilities on offer. Customers can also call us on the national power cut helpline, 105, for an update or if they are concerned about a vulnerable family member or neighbour."

A further update will be provided at 5pm.