UK Power Networks

The electricity network in Buckland is managed by UK Power Networks.  If you need to report a power cut, a dangerous situation or any other problem relating to the network click Contact UKPN.

Priority Services Register

UK Power Networks maintains a Priority Services Register for people who meet one of the following criteria : elderly persons (normal retirement age), household with young children (under the age of 5) or someone dependent upon power to operate medical equipment or to maintain medication at a particular temperature, anyone who is hearing impaired or deaf or visually impaired or blind.  If you or a member of your family or household qualifies sign up now.

Once you have been added to the Priority Services Register, UKPN will:

• Provide emergency power supplies – If a resident use medical equipment/ aids reliant on electricity, and they will provide extra support during prolonged power cuts.
• Proactively contact residents – When they are aware of an unplanned power cut affecting communities, residents on the Priority Services Register will receive proactive updates 24 hours a day. If the telephone and mobile networks are not working UKPN staff and British Red Cross volunteers can be tasked to make house calls
• Safety advice tailored to the resident’s needs – When requested, the power company offer advice on how to prepare for a power cut in a format that suits the resident’s needs, e.g. braille, textphone, easy read, audio CD, or language other than English.
• Peace of mind – Companies offer a service where residents can agree on a password to use when dealing with the power company staff and look after residents personal safety and home security.

Advice to all UKPN Customers

When the power goes out, it can leave people feeling unsure about what to do.  In 2016 105 was launched to help solve this problem.  105 is a free service* and you can call the number from most landlines and mobile phones. It doesn’t matter who you choose to buy your electricity from – anyone can call 105.  If you are on the Priority Services Register the advice is to call the dedicated number you have been given. (* – you can call 105 from most landlines and mobile telephones).

Anyone experiencing a power cut should:

• Call 105 to report power cuts and damage to the electricity network, or 0800 3163 105 (from a corded phone or mobile phone if you have no power)
• Visit the UKPN website for the latest updates
• Type in your postcode via this link to view our live power cut map
• Tweet @ukpowernetworks to report a power cut or to receive updates

We advise people to stay clear of power lines and report damaged power lines immediately by calling 105 free from either a landline or a mobile phone. If they see electricity lines that are down or causing significant risk to the public they should call 999.

You can also call 105 if you spot damage to electricity power lines and substations that could put you, or someone else, in danger. If there’s a serious immediate risk, call the emergency services too.

UK Power Networks now have a facility on their website that displays all street lights, traffic lights, illuminated bollards and other street furniture where they have been contacted by the local highways authority to either install a new light, or make a repair to the power supplying the structure.  n. If the problem you have identifed is not shown you can report it.

Advice issued by Surrey County Council

Keeping a mobile phone charged is good in preparing for power outages. Some other tips we would suggest are,

• Keep a torch and replacement batteries where you can find it
• Keep a battery powered radio tuned into a local radio station – we would suggest BBC Radio Surrey as they have greater responsibilities to maintain communication to residents in a crisis than commercial stations 
• Keep a note of key contacts – the attached ICE form would help with this
• Check in with neighbours
• Keep warm – wear layers and remember it is easier to stay warm that it is to get warm
• Do you have to stay – can you go to family or friends outside of the power cut, you would be able to monitor the situation on line to see when you could return