Power Cut Chaos Sparks Road Mayhem in Newhaven and Seaford
Local residents in Newhaven and Seaford faced major traffic delays after emergency repairs on a faulty electricity cable triggered a power cut. UK Power Networks has since apologised for the disruption and promised to improve future communications and roadwork management.
Emergency Repairs Cause Rush Hour Traffic Jam
UK Power Networks revealed the power outage hit local homes on Tuesday evening due to a fault in an underground cable. They had to locate and fix the fault urgently, which meant setting up traffic controls that snarled roads across the area.
“We sincerely apologise for the disruption these works caused local residents,” the company said. They worked with the County Council to explore options but had to go ahead with traffic management to keep the repair safe and effective.
Late Night Work and Noise Complaints
The repairs stretched into the night, with work starting at 9:30pm. UK Power Networks admitted their teams weren’t fully informed of the exact start time, causing confusion. They also cited concerns over noise pollution if digging began earlier or dragged on, especially on one of the hottest evenings of the year with windows open.
An open excavation forced the continued presence of traffic cones, as removing them would put pedestrians at risk of walking into busy roads. “We must plan street works around vulnerable users under the New Roads And Street Works Act,” the company explained.
Reinstatement and Future Safeguards
The road was fully reinstated and traffic controls removed by the next morning, but the company acknowledged they “could have reduced the length and improved the management of the works.”
While the repair is temporary, UK Power Networks warned further works might be needed to avoid future faults. They committed to working with highways officials to devise a better plan ahead of any future emergencies.
Local MP promised to follow up on the issue to prevent a repeat of the chaos.
