Planned Power Cuts to Affect Homes Across Cumbria Today
Homes across several parts of Cumbria are due to lose electricity temporarily today, Tuesday, 11 August, while essential work is carried out on the power network.
The planned outages include properties in Carlisle, Sebergham, Alston Moor and Ormsgill in Barrow. Electricity North West has arranged the cuts so engineers can safely complete maintenance work.
Only selected properties within each postcode will be affected. Residents should check any letter or notification they have received for the exact time and expected length of their outage.
Which Cumbrian Postcodes Are Affected?
The following areas and postcodes have been listed:
- Cathedral and Castle, Carlisle: 65 properties across CA4 0BU, CA4 0BT, CA4 0BS, CA4 0BZ and CA4 0AG
- Sebergham: 15 properties in CA5 7JQ
- Denton Holme and Morton South, Carlisle: Five properties across CA5 6JJ and CA5 6EJ
- Alston Moor: Several separate groups of properties in CA9 3BJ
- Ormsgill, Barrow: 27 properties across LA14 4QP, LA14 4QE, LA14 4PY, LA14 4QD, LA14 4RT and LA15 8BN
- Dalston: 15 properties in CA5 7JQ
- Beaumont, Carlisle: Five properties across CA5 6JJ and CA5 6EJ
- Wetheral, Carlisle: 65 properties across CA4 0BT, CA4 0BZ, CA4 0AG, CA4 0BS and CA4 0BU
Some postcodes appear under more than one area on the published list. This means the figures should not be added together to calculate the number of individual homes affected.
Ormsgill Homes Among Those Without Power
In Barrow, 27 properties are expected to be affected by the planned work.
Most of the listed postcodes are within Ormsgill, including parts of LA14 4QP, LA14 4QE, LA14 4PY, LA14 4QD and LA14 4RT. The list also includes LA15 8BN.
Not every home within these postcodes will lose power. Electricity North West normally contacts affected customers in advance with details about the work.
Why Are Planned Power Cuts Needed?
Planned power cuts allow engineers to work safely on cables, poles, substations and other equipment.
The work may involve repairing existing equipment, replacing older parts or upgrading the local network. Carrying out planned maintenance can help lower the risk of unexpected faults in the future.
These outages are not linked to a shortage of electricity or an emergency blackout.
Electricity North West says 9am is normally the earliest it will switch off a customer’s supply, while 5pm is the latest planned restoration time. However, the exact hours can differ between projects, and work may finish earlier than expected.
How to Prepare for a Power Cut
Residents expecting an interruption may want to:
- charge phones, laptops and power banks
- save any important computer work
- keep fridge and freezer doors closed
- make sure torches are available
- plan for the loss of Wi-Fi and mains-powered phones
- charge electric vehicles before the outage
- check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours
Anyone who depends on electricity for medical equipment should contact Electricity North West and make sure they have a suitable backup plan.
Residents can check the latest information through the Electricity North West power cut service. Unexpected outages can also be reported by calling 105 free of charge.
Planned work can sometimes be delayed, shortened or cancelled, so customers should check for updates before the expected outage.
