High winds leave more than 25,000 homes without power in Suffolk and Essex

Power cuts in Suffolk and Essex posted at 6.30am. Picture: UK POWER NETWORKS (Image: Archant)

UK Power Networks said its engineers were working hard to restore power supplies in the East of England after winds of more than 70mph damaged overhead cables.

Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire were affected particularly hard, it said.

“We’re sorry to all customers affected and are working to restore supplies,” a spokesman added.

The total number of homes affected in Suffolk was first recorded as 17,700 while in Essex a further 8,800 were hit. In Norfolk, 23,300 homes were left without power.

However, across the region more than 100,000 homes had their power restored by 10.15am, leaving 47,000 still without electricity including 12,700 in Suffolk and 6,380 in Essex.

A spokesman added: “UK Power Networks engineers have restored power to more than 130,000 properties in the East of England today, after winds of over 70mph damaged trees and overhead power lines, particularly across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire.

“We have additional engineers working to restore remaining power supplies as quickly and safely as possible.

“We urge the public to stay well clear from power lines and anyone spotting a damaged power line should dial 105 to report it.”

Its website showed communities affected by power outages in Suffolk included: Newmarket; Bury St Edmunds; Needham Market; Claydon; Stowmarket; Framlingham; Melton; Wickham Market; Leiston; Saxmundham; Woolpit; Bardwell; Elmswell; Debenham; Great Waldingfield and Laxfield.

There were also cuts in Colchester, Saffron Walden, Braintree, Marks Tey and Halstead, Brightlingsea and Kirby Le Soken in Essex.

The high winds have brought widespread disruption to the region, including the closure of the Orwell Bridge and several other roads, school closures and train cancellations.

Visit the UK Power Networks website for more details.