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St Jude storm aftermath: thousands of properties still without power St Jude storm aftermath: thousands of properties still without power
(about 3 hours later)
Thousands of homes remain without electricity two days after the worst storm in more than a decade hit the UK, killing four people.Thousands of homes remain without electricity two days after the worst storm in more than a decade hit the UK, killing four people.
On Wednesday morning, there were still about 15,000 properties in the east of England and 3,500 in the south east without power, according to UK Power Networks. It said the figures were constantly changing and that engineers aim to have to have 98% of power supplies restored by the end of the day, with the remainder back by the end of the week. On Wednesday morning there were still about 15,000 properties in the east of England and 3,500 in the south-east without power, according to UK Power Networks. It said the figures were constantly changing and that engineers aim to have 98% of power supplies restored by the end of the day, with the remainder back by the end of the week.
Director of customer services, Matt Rudling, said: "I would like to thank people who are still without power for their patience, and stress that we are working to restore all supplies as quickly as is safely possible. A lot of hard of work is going on round the clock and we are making good progress with repairs." The director of customer services, Matt Rudling, said: "I would like to thank people who are still without power for their patience, and stress that we are working to restore all supplies as quickly as is safely possible. A lot of hard of work is going on round the clock and we are making good progress with repairs."
Almost 650,000 customers had their supply disrupted by the storm, which UK Power Networks said was the biggest it had been faced with since 2002. Half a million of those had their power restored within a day. The counties still affected are Essex, Hertfordshire, Suffolk, Kent, Surrey and Sussex. UK Power Networks said it was sending out vans to provide hot food and drinks to customers in areas still without power.Almost 650,000 customers had their supply disrupted by the storm, which UK Power Networks said was the biggest it had been faced with since 2002. Half a million of those had their power restored within a day. The counties still affected are Essex, Hertfordshire, Suffolk, Kent, Surrey and Sussex. UK Power Networks said it was sending out vans to provide hot food and drinks to customers in areas still without power.
About 1,000 engineers, six times the usual number on duty, are working on repairs and helicopter patrols are being carried out to check overhead power lines.About 1,000 engineers, six times the usual number on duty, are working on repairs and helicopter patrols are being carried out to check overhead power lines.
All rail services appeared to be back to normal by Wednesday morning bar the route between St Albans Abbey and Watford Junction, where London Midland said a bus replacement service would continue to operate until Thursday morning.All rail services appeared to be back to normal by Wednesday morning bar the route between St Albans Abbey and Watford Junction, where London Midland said a bus replacement service would continue to operate until Thursday morning.
A spokesman said: "Following Monday's storms, Network Rail engineers have discovered additional structural damage to the overhead line equipment on the Abbey line and will need an extra day to repair the damage."A spokesman said: "Following Monday's storms, Network Rail engineers have discovered additional structural damage to the overhead line equipment on the Abbey line and will need an extra day to repair the damage."
South West Trains said that the service between Eastleigh and Fareham was expected to run as normal on Wednesday after the repair of signalling equipment damaged by falling trees. Greater Anglia, which said it had to deal with about 230 fallen trees and four major de-wirements as a result of the storm, also expected normal service to resume on Wednesday.South West Trains said that the service between Eastleigh and Fareham was expected to run as normal on Wednesday after the repair of signalling equipment damaged by falling trees. Greater Anglia, which said it had to deal with about 230 fallen trees and four major de-wirements as a result of the storm, also expected normal service to resume on Wednesday.
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