Classification: OFFICIAL
Dear Councillor Ioannor
I can only apologise for the ongoing issues affecting the street lighting in Oakwood Crescent and the inconvenience this is causing yourself and your fellow neighbours. I can only assure you we have made every effort to get these items repaired and are too very disappointed that this is still outstanding.
If I may explain, the ongoing issue is related to the main electricity supply which is owned and maintained by UKPN (formally London Electricity Board). UKPN are a Statutory Undertaker and are not under the control or management of the council, we are however reliant on them for providing the electricity to our street lights.
Upon discovery of a fault with the UKPN mains we report this to them without delay and await their program dates and subsequent repairs. Our initial report to them for Oakwood Crescent was registered on 3rd February 2022, this was reported back to us as being repaired with the required works completed.
Quite frustratingly this was not the case and we continued to receive reports of the street lights not working, again we investigated and found the issues still to be with the UKPN main electricity cable, a further report was issued to UKPN highlighting the prior failure to resolve the problem and required urgency for complete and lasting repairs. I have extracted the below report information from the program we receive from UKPN highlighting “the Clock Start Date”. This is the date they receive the report from the council and sets their required performance as stipulated by OFGEM
Given the number of street lights being affected and the immediate reoccurrence of the fault I suspect the issue is more in-depth than anticipated and as a result may require significant works taking an extended period of time to carry out. Unfortunately this is far from uncommon with multiple cable faults and this is something faced by all authorities across London.
Once again I would like to offer you my assurance that we will continue to push UKPN as much as possible to get the required repairs completed as quickly as they can and restore the power to the street lights.
Kind Regard