Hundreds of properties in Burghfield and Burghclere lose power in high winds

SEVERAL hundred properties in Burghfield and also Burghclere, lost power in last night's (Tues) high winds, as Storm Barney reached the local area.

One pump was called at 8.30pm from Dee Road Fire Station in Tilehurst, to Cottage Lane, Burghfield.

A pole carrying a transformer had landed on a bank, caught on trees, about four feet off the ground.

Firefighters remained at the scene until the arrival of Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) engineers, before departing at 9.50pm.

An SSE spokesman confirmed engineers were called out at 8.45pm, after a power cut affected 215 properties in the surrounding area.

Generators were used to restore power, with engineers carrying out repairs to also restore mains supplies.

The spokesman did not know when mains supplies would be restored.

In Burghclere, just over the West Berkshire/Hampshire border, a total 207 properties lost electricity supplies at 5.11pm, after a tree fell on an overhead line, also in high winds.

Mains supplies were restored to all properties by 10.35pm, according to SSE, who released the following statement:

"Apologies to all customers for any disruption and inconvenience they faced as a result of Storm Barney."