Delph’s day in the dark

Photo: Darren Robinson

Pharmacist Fran Doyle and Tracy Hartley sort prescriptions

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2,375 affected by cable fault
THE SADDLEWORTH village of Delph came to a standstill when it was blacked-out by a power cut for the second time in three days.

More than 2,300 customers woke yesterday to find their homes, businesses and streets in darkness.

An underground cable fault caused the loss of power to 2,375 customers just before 3am yesterday morning.

Delph was brought to a ghost-town standstill by the cut. Hundreds of workers were sent home by businesses unable to operate computers. Shops, including the village post office and pubs, remained shuttered.

Though power was returning by late afternoon, Electricity North West warned customers that complications had delayed restoration of some supplies.

Engineers earlier rushed an emergency generator to provide power at Stoneswood Residential Home on the main A62 Oldham-Huddersfield Road.

The residential home called emergency services after the blackout wiped out power for 46 residents, five assisted-living residents and four independent people at the property.

Christine Tilley, the home owner, said: “I was very impressed with the response from the emergency service. No one had been upset and the home is functioning perfectly.”

But householders and businesses in Delph and some outlying areas reported a confusing picture. Richard Holt of Grains Road said: “For the second time in three days, Delph — and surrounding areas — have suffered power black outs. I am struggling to find out why this has happened again. Power went off on Saturday morning and went off again on at around 3am yesterday.

“This must be a nightmare for families with young children struggling to cope with no hot water or heating. Also all phone signals are down.”


THE frustrated look etched on Delph pub landlord Carl Benton’s face summed up the misery of a village without power.
Carl had only reopened the historic village pub a week ago, and served his first meals on Monday.

But at 2.46am yesterday he became one of the 2,375 households and businesses who would wake in darkness. The 39 year old spent the morning at the refurbished White Lion clearing the cellar of a foot deep of water after a pump failed.

At the village chemists, pharmacist Fran Doyle and colleague Tracy Hartley worked by torch to help customers: “I had absolutely no idea there was a complete blackout until I arrived for work,” she said.

Nearby, Keith Begley, former chair of Saddleworth parish council and his wife Jenny, watched as an emergency generator arrived ahead of attempts to restore power after damage to an underground cable caused unwanted chaos.

“We’re just pleased something is happening,” they said. “We’ve seldom seen the village so quiet.”