Fifteen power cuts in as many days in Sussex leave elderly struggling during cold snap

There have been frequent power cuts in Bexhill over the last fortnight. Credit: ITV News Meridian

Residents of a road in Bexhill, East Sussex are calling for urgent action after suffering fifteen power cuts in as many days.

Older people living in Green Lane say losing their supply has hit them particularly hard during the recent freezing conditions.

They say over the past two weeks, there have been frequent power cuts lasting for hours on end.

UK Power Networks have apologised to customers and say the power cuts have been caused by a fault on an underground cable.

The power cuts have been affecting homes at Green Lane in Bexhill. Credit: ITV News Meridian

Something as simple as boiling a kettle has become a bit of a lottery for resident Lynn Webb.

She said: "It's been pretty awful because it's been the coldest week we've had and the heating goes off, the landline goes off. Everything here in the house is finished and it's just getting ready, rushing to get a meal before it goes off again."

Audrey Sneddon lives with a lady who’s 100-years-old. They both struggled when the electricity went off during the night.

"It was a bit scary really," Audrey told ITV News Meridian. "Pat sleeps downstairs and I had to come down with a candle which wasn't easy because I can hardly get down the stairs, it's quite a struggle."

  • "It's been pretty awful" - Lynn Webb, resident

In a statement, a spokesperson for UK Power Networks said: "UK Power Networks apologises to residents in Green Lane, Little Common, Bexhill, for recent power cuts which have mainly affected 11 customers.

"We understand how difficult it is to be without power in such cold weather and our team is working to resolve this.

"The power cuts have been caused by a fault on an underground cable which will be located and repaired as quickly as possible to ensure reliable power supplies in the area.

"As a temporary measure, we have installed equipment enabling us to automatically reconnect power supplies quicker, where possible, while work continues to excavate and repair the fault.

"We will be proactively contacting customers to explain and apologise."

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