Regular power cuts strike Frome

Reports of power cuts in some areas of Frome have become frequent in recent months, causing disruption to residents and services, along with Frome Medical Practice.

In 2020, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) invested £440,000 to boost the resilience and strength of the power supply for residents and business owners in Frome and surrounding villages. However, over recent months power cuts have been a regular occurrence with the community and key services being affected.

Frome town councillor Tracey Ashford recently asked why there are persistent power outages around Packsaddle/Mendip Drive area. She said, “We’ve had about six this year and they last literally hours. Interrupts obvious things like getting showered, eating etc but also impacts on work from home and apparently sometimes the medical centre.

“I wonder if this is to do with age of the infrastructure? Or down to the companies that are potentially putting profits ahead of customers – it would be really helpful to get further explanation from the power companies.”

Frome Medical Practice has also been affected. Practice manager Karen Creffield said, “The recent power cuts are very disruptive to us as a practice, preventing us from accessing our clinical systems and significantly limiting the care we can offer patients. We work closely with our neighbours in Frome Community Hospital and appreciate the support they offer us during a power cut. We were fortunate on the most recent occasion that power was restored relatively quickly.”

A spokesperson from SSEN said, “SSEN has invested over £690,000 in improving the electricity infrastructure in and around Frome over the last three years through the replacement of some 166 poles and nearly 35 kilometres of cable; boosting the strength and resilience of the network and helping customers achieve their net zero goals, by having the power that enables them to take up low carbon technologies such as electric vehicles, solar panels and heat pumps.

“However robust the network, there still remains the potential for power cuts through severe weather, such as high winds, heavy rain and lightning or extreme heat. Airborne debris and items coming in to contact with overhead lines can also result in faults to power supplies.

“As soon as SSEN is aware of a fault, engineers will be sent to the site to restore power supplies as quickly and safely as possible – never approach any damage to the equipment yourself and instead report it directly by calling 105, or via SSEN’s Power Track App. Vulnerable customers can also receive additional free help during power cuts through SSEN’s Priority Services Register.”