NORTH West Hampshire MP Sir George Young has met with the head of operations at Southern Electric Power Distribution (SEPD) in a meeting at the House of Commons.

The meeting follows disappointment at the electricity supplier from residents in Dummer after the village saw a five-day power cut during the Christmas period and between February 14 and February 16.

Head of operations at SEPD, Bev Keogh, presented steps that the supplier is taking to ensure that lessons are being learnt.

She also showed the North West Hampshire MP new technology that will help keep people affected by power cuts informed.

Sir George Young said: “Bev explained the steps that have been taken recently, and the lessons that have been learnt, particularly after Christmas. They are making good progress in improving information to customers.

“Anyone can download the app Power Track from the company's website and this gives real time information about power failures, together with the estimated time that power will be restored. In the event of future power failures, this will be a quick and reliable way of getting up to date information.”

SEPD has now offered to meet with residents in Dummer to listen to concerns.

The MP added: “Dummer was particularly badly affected over Christmas, and I welcome the offer of SSE to contact the parish council and see whether a meeting in the village hall would be of value.”

If power cuts affect the village again, the MP has been assured there are facilities that will be put in place.

Vulnerable customers who are on a ‘priority services register’ with the electricity supplier such as residents, who need dialysis machines, will be given back-up supplies in the event of future power cuts.

He added: “Catering vans will be deployed to such villages, in order to ensure that people don’t run out of food and other essential supplies.”

Customers who feel they may be eligible for the priority services register are urged to contact SEPD on 0800 294 3259.