Blackout leaves drivers in control

MOTORISTS were left to fend for themselves last week when a power blackout in Berwick cut electricity to more than five sets of traffic lights.
The traffic confusion, along Berwick-Cranbourne Road, started about 9.15am and lasted for more than an hour, with drivers having to take traffic control into their own hands.
A spokesperson for power company SP AusNet said a road maintenance contractor who managed to dig up one of the company’s high-voltage cables had caused the blackout.
Media spokesperson Emma Daniell-Edwards said crews worked quickly to identify the problem and restore power to the large majority of households within the hour.
“Unfortunately however a small number of residents felt the full impact of the contractor’s error and power was not restored until later in the afternoon.
“We thank the community for their understanding and patience and urge them to contact us on 131 799 to report any faults. We also ask the community to dial before they dig,” she said.