A power cut left 1,800 homes and businesses in Oxford without power yesterday (May 14) after a worker accidentally severed a live cable in the city centre.
Motorists had to negotiate some of Oxford's busiest junctions without traffic lights after the power cut, which happened at 2.55pm. The city centre and a large area including the Abingdon and Iffley roads was affected.
The power cut was caused by a telecoms worker accidentally severing an 11,000 volt cable. No-one was injured.
Supply was restored to 800 customers within about half and hour, and most had power back by 5pm. The remainder had to wait until about 6pm.
Southern Electric spokesman Denis Kerby apologised to customers and added: "There will be an invest- igation. It was a serious incident because anyone damaging an 11,000 volt cable is liable to cause themselves serious injury."
County council traffic signal technician Mike Herbert said: "About three sets of traffic lights and three or four pedestrian crossings were affected."
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