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Power to the People! - Freddie Dawkins (5th Feb 2004 - 10:10:10) So, another series of electricity cuts last night. Last night's problem was caused by a burnt-out pole at Griggs Green. Much as I like chatting around a log fire by candlelight, it's a pain to have to go round resetting computers, clocks, telephones, answering machines etc. I've lived in Liphook now for 11 years and this is a regular occurrence. I know from long-time residents that there has been a problem here for many years. With the development of Liphook and more and more building, the number of people affected is growing. I've tried before to get the attention of Southern Electric, to improve the supply to this area - but had little success. Can I suggest we might start a campaign, through this website, to encourage Southern Electric to work on improving the local infrastructure for a community that makes a significant contribution to its profits. The address to write to is: The Chairman Scottish & Southern Electric Energy Group PO Box 6009 Basingstoke RG21 8ZD I'm writing this morning. rgds to all here Freddie Dawkins

Re: Power to the People! - Ben Lawrance (6th Feb 2004 - 09:46:13) Totally agree. At the time of the power cut, i was working at Bohunt School, providing lighting and sound for a show. Yes, you guessed it. Emergency lighting isn't enough to continue a show. Funny thing though, out of the three phases that gets supplied to the school, the one that came back on, was the phase supplying the halls florry tubes. At least we could see what we were packing away. Rgds Ben

Re: Power to the People! - Freddie Dawkins (7th Feb 2004 - 10:56:34) Ben - Thx for support. I've done a bit more checking and the actual breakdowns were patchy across the whole Parish. Some areas actually had 4 separate power cuts, others only had two. I'll keep everyone posted once I have a response from SSE, but would everyone here who is interested please write to SSE - that way we'll get more attention paid to the problem. Freddie

Re: Power to the People! - Freddie Dawkins (11th Feb 2004 - 09:15:46) All here - Some good news! My letter has prompted a positive telephone call from S&SE. I now have a far better understanding of how we receive our electricity. There are three power routes into the Parish: - Langley Court (Hillbrow) - Midhurst - Bordon This effectively means we are at the end of three lines - so almost bound to be victims of weather/damage/surge problems. It also explains why we often lose power from one of three areas, while other parts of the Parish are okay. I'm setting up a meeting with a senior S&SE manager - but it's already been suggested that, with the amount of new homes, offices etc planned for the Parish, we may well get our own primary sub-station. Can I urge everyone here to write to S&SE (see top message) and help build support for a better deal and more stable power supply for Bramshott & Liphook. Freddie

Re: Power to the People! - Freddie Dawkins (15th Feb 2004 - 16:27:00) And another series of cuts today (Sunday). Our power in Headley Road went out at approx 11.38am. Also went down in Longmoor Road at same time. Headley Road restored about 30 minutes later and Longmoor Road a bit after that. I spoke to S&SE and they told me that the auto recloser should have cut in after 10 minutes and restored power. So there was something else wrong. Will not know until tomorrow (Monday) what actually went wrong. Normal procedure is to send out a lineman to check damaged equipment. Will keep everyone here updated. No news yet on proposed meeting, so I'll chase tomorrow. Please write in to the Chairman of S&SE at address above and express concerns. This really will make a difference in prioritising this Parish for investment. rgds to all here - and let's hope for an otherwise peaceful Sunday! Freddie

Re: Power to the People! - Steve (17th Feb 2004 - 13:57:34) We seem to be having power cuts every other day at the moment. It throws the heating out, my alarm clocks out , house alarm and my file and print server gets downed, . Why should I have to go out and buy a UPS for that. My biggest concern though is the freezer, how long does the power have to be out before everything in there is ruined?

Re: Power to the People! - Mike Grimes (17th Feb 2004 - 14:42:51) Most freezers are designed to keep a reasonably full freezer frozen for at least 24 hours without power (some for as much as 48 hours) as long as you resist the temptation to open the door. Of course this time of year after 24 hours without heat you could then store the contents of your freezer in your living room and live in the freezer. Are we all writing to Scottish & Southern Electric Energy Group?

Re: Power to the People! - Freddie Dawkins (17th Feb 2004 - 15:49:15) Only two letters received in Basingstoke to date. The customer service department are beginning to see that there really is a problem and I'm compiling some stats for them, so they can see for themselves what demand is going to be coming from the Parish in the next 2-3 years. The stats will go in front of the Planning Engineer in Portsmouth. rgds to all - and please do write those letters. Freddie

Re: Power to the People! - Tim Camilleri (17th Feb 2004 - 21:04:30) I received a reply from Mrs Jo Amos of S&SE today. They have received my letter and will reply when they have completed their investigations!!

Re: Power to the People! - Freddie Dawkins (17th Feb 2004 - 21:42:52) Thx, Tim. Your letter has had some considerable impact, judging by reactions this afternoon. I have posted the stats off to Petersfield team, who will then arrange meeting with Planning Engineer. Just sitting down for a couple of hours and adding up the likely number of houses/flats/hotel bedrooms etc etc we are going to see in the Parish in the next 2 years surprised me. It's only when you consolidate lots of bits of info you get a better - though in some ways overwhelming - picture of just how much more Liphook is going to change. Progress? Mmmm. But at least we can work to get a steadier power supply, improved drainage (especially surface water run off) and less main leaks! South East Water btw have admitted the problems in Longmoor Road and plan to install a new main this year. Good news. rgds to all here - and keep writing. Freddie

Re: Power to the People! - Freddie Dawkins (19th Feb 2004 - 16:52:52) All here - Please keep the letters flowing. S&SE are being very positive about our approach and called this pm to say "thanks" for stats and they are looking at our problems with a long-term view of planning-in improvements. So, as soon as I hear more from the Planning Dept, I'll let everyone here know. I think we are making a good case for a primary sub-station - and that should erradicate most of the cuts we suffer from. rgds to all Freddie

Re: Power to the People! - Eneida Nelson (26th Feb 2004 - 12:16:45) Freddie I've just received a very nice letter from David Mitchen of Southern Electric outlining the problems and the action they are taking, so it sounds as if they are taking it seriously and something might be done at last. I hope this correspondence isn't too trivial and the silent majority might actually be grateful for your efforts. Although, I realise, it's not on a par with fighting the war on terror or finding Bin Laden. Are there any big holes in Liphook??

Re: Power to the People! - Freddie Dawkins (26th Feb 2004 - 15:34:08) Hi, Eneida - That's really good news. I'm sure it's a case of S&SE being a responsible supplier - we just need to get their attention a bit more to be prioritised (hate that word!) for improvement. South Easte Water are getting their act together on the main in Longmoor Road and a new main will go in this year. Progress. rgds Freddie

Re: Power to the People! - Tim Camilleri (28th Feb 2004 - 11:38:41) On 17th Feb I mentioned here that I had received a 'holding' reply from S&SE. I received a subsequent response on 24th Feb. Here is that reply in full: 23 February 2004 Dear Mr Camilleri The Chairman has asked me to thank you for your letter of 11 February and to reply on his behalf. Firstly, I would like to apologise for the supply interruptions which you have experienced. I assure you we take all interruptions seriously and we make every effort to prevent them from happening. We have carried out a full review of the supply reliability in the Liphook area and examined carefully the reasons for the problems to see if there is a common pattern which will enable us to take preventative action to eliminate those of a likely recurring nature. The recent interruptions have, however, been caused by quite unrelated and different reasons including an underground cable which failed due to water ingress, a problem with a local transformer which we have resolved and then the unexpected failure of a piece of overhead line protection equipment. It is very unusual for unconnected incidents such as this to happen in such a short timespan and I understand your concern. There have also been a number of brief interruptions to your electricity supply where temporary problems have caused our overhead line protection equipment to operate. This equipment is designed to disconnect supplies for a few seconds in such cases and then automatically restore supplies when the problem clears (an example of this is where windborne debris hits the overhead line before falling clear). Although frustrating, this does help to prevent further damage to our network as well as keeping the interruption time to an absolute minimum. In view of the number of interruptions you have experienced, we have arranged for a detailed patrol and inspection of the local overhead lines to identify any potential problems which will be dealt with as a matter of urgency. As part of this, we will identify if there is any requirement for any tree cutting near our overhead lines which can then be undertaken. I have also spoken with our local Operations Manager and he will be monitoring closely the ongoing performance of the distribution network and will take any further remedial action found to be necessary. I am sorry you have had to write in these circumstances and I hope this information is helpful. The Chairman maintains a keen interest in all matters which affect our customers and I am sending him a copy of this reply. Yours sincerely David Mitchem Head of Customer Service

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