Gales and torrential rain cut power to central Newbury

Central Newbury and Wash Common were plunged into darkness yesterday evening at 7pm following a power cut.
Southern Electric spokeswoman, Sam O'Connor, confirmed 10,000 households were affected by the cut, in Newbury and the surrounding area, including Thatcham, Greenham and Newtown, following the 7.10pm cut, due to damage caused by debris and trees falling on overhead power lines.
The majority of customers had power restored by 8.10pm, the remainder by 8.30pm.
Newbury’s cinema, restaurants and Newbury College were among those affected by the cut, as was the Corn Exchange - affecting a show by comedian Harry Hill, who was later spotted taking refuge in The Hatchet pub in the Market Place.
The Hogs Head pub in the Market Place refused to give into the weather and kept punters happy with the use of candlelight.
Nearby, the Sterling Industrial estate was closed by police at 10.15pm last night, due to structural damage caused by high winds, according to reports and further afield, Brimpton Common residents suffered a two hour cut from around 6.30pm yesterday.
Southern Electric confirmed a total 600 properties were affected in the Brimpton Common area by the 6.37pm cut, after an overhead line came down at Crookham Common. Power was gradually restored and to a remaining 86 properties by 9.17pm yesterday (Thursday).
Newbury Fire Station sent a crew to tackle a power cable which came down in Thornford Road, on the West Berkshire side of the Berkshire/Hampshire border, at about 7pm yesterday (Thursday).
According to Bob Mitchell, the manager of Red Watch at the station, one crew was sent to the scene, where police closed the road to deal with the incident and while firefighters made the area safe.
Thames Valley Police confirmed police were called at 6.53pm yesterday (Thursday) to this incident and closed Thornford Road at 7.15pm. The road was re-opened shortly before 3am today (Friday).
No-one was hurt and the incident was closed by the fire service after around two hours.
The weather also disrupted power supplies in Woolton Hill yesterday (Thursday). Southern Electric has confirmed power was cut to 647 households in the village at 4.55pm, due to lines which came down at Old Burghclere .Power was restored to the majority in two hours, but 130 households remained without power until 5am today (Friday).
Flood alerts on the River Kennet and River Pang remain in place today (Friday) - with communities likely to be affected urged by the Environment Agency to prepare for possible flooding, ahead of more heavy rain forecast for the weekend.
Chaos in Newbury continued this morning (Friday) when the traffic lights went out at the Robin Hood Roundabout, following a collision at this roundabout at 3.05am today (Friday) Thames Valley Police have confirmed. A Thatcham man was arrested following the collision.
The weather also disrupted travel yesterday, with many trains cancelled.
For information about disruption to train services visit www.journeycheck.com/firstgreatwestern/.
For information about flooding telephone the 24-hour Floodline 0845 988 1185. For more information about flood alerts and preparing for flooding, visit the Environment Agency’s website environment-agency.gov.uk.
To sign up for flood warnings, telephone 0845 988 1188 or visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood
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