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Hundreds lose power as storms hit | |
(about 8 hours later) | |
Hundreds of homes in the North of England have lost power after heavy rain and winds reaching more than 70mph brought down power lines. | |
Power firm CE Electric said more than 1,000 homes have been affected - around 600 on Teesside, 200 on Wearside and at least 200 on Tyneside. | |
United Utilities said hundreds in the west and south of Cumbria were also without power on Thursday. | |
Meanwhile, rail services on the East Coast Mainline have also been reduced. | |
Mike Leighton, Operations Director for CE Electric UK, said: "The safety of our staff is paramount and there will be times during the gales when it is just too dangerous for them to continue working. | |
"But we want to reassure customers that our priority is to restore supplies as quickly as possible. | |
"We will continue working through the night." | |
Debris on tracks | |
A spokesman for United Utilities said supplies in Cumbria may not be reconnected until Friday because the bad weather meant it was too dangerous for engineers to repair damaged lines. | |
Train operator GNER is only running an hourly service between London and Newcastle on Thursday evening. | |
The restrictions have been introduced as a result of a 50mph speed limit imposed by Network Rail between Kings Cross and Newcastle. | The restrictions have been introduced as a result of a 50mph speed limit imposed by Network Rail between Kings Cross and Newcastle. |
GNER said the reduced speed limit would give train drivers more warning of any debris blown onto tracks. | GNER said the reduced speed limit would give train drivers more warning of any debris blown onto tracks. |
Spokesman John Gelson said: "Travellers are advised to check train times with National Rail Enquiries before travelling. | |
"In light of the disruption, any tickets bought today but not used will still be valid on Friday. This includes tickets that were restricted to specific journeys." | "In light of the disruption, any tickets bought today but not used will still be valid on Friday. This includes tickets that were restricted to specific journeys." |