Hundreds left without power across Hebburn and parts of Jarrow
Hundreds of households and businesses in Hebburn were left in the dark on Saturday afternoon after an underground high-voltage cable fault cut electricity to a large part of the town, with reports of knock-on disruption in areas of Jarrow. Northern Powergrid confirmed that around 847 customers in the NE31 1 postcode area were affected at the height of the outage.
The fault triggered a swift response from the distribution network operator, with engineers sent to assess the problem and reroute supplies where possible. Police placed cordons in spots around Hebburn Bridge and near Hebburn Metro Station to support public safety while work took place. Fire crews also attended earlier as a precaution.
Shops forced to shut as disruption ripples through the town
The cuts caused immediate disruption to weekend trade. The local Asda, Aldi and Post Office were among the businesses forced to close temporarily after losing supply. Residents reported traffic slowing near cordoned areas and people gathering by the fenced-off section next to the Metro station to check for updates.
Northern Powergrid said it was restoring electricity in phases by switching the network while engineers continued on-site investigations. The company advised that timescales could shift once the extent of the fault was fully assessed.
"We are currently dealing with an underground cable fault in the NE31 1 postcode area of Hebburn. The high voltage fault has caused a power cut affecting 847 customers. We have engineers travelling to site to switch the network and restore customers in phases. We currently estimate customers will be restored between 3.30pm and 4.30pm today (13 July), however, this is an estimate at present, and we will update accordingly once engineers have assessed the fault."
Residents were thanked for their patience and urged to keep an eye on official channels for the latest position. The operator said customers could track progress online or via the national helpline.
What we know so far
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area affected | Hebburn (NE31 1) with reports in parts of Jarrow |
| Customers impacted | 847 at peak |
| Fault type | Underground high-voltage cable fault |
| Restoration approach | Phased restoration by network switching; engineers on site |
| Emergency services | Police supporting with cordons; fire service attended earlier |
Advice for residents and businesses
While most brief outages can be managed at home, a fault of this scale can be disruptive, particularly for vulnerable residents and those relying on electrical medical equipment. Northern Powergrid has reminded customers of the support available and how to report issues.
- Check live updates and report an outage: northernpowergrid.com/power-cuts
- Call the national power cut number: 105 (free, 24/7)
- Priority Services Membership (extra help for vulnerable customers): 0800 169 2996
- Stay clear of cordoned areas and any exposed equipment; follow police instructions
Businesses affected on Saturday afternoon were advised to monitor the restoration estimates and plan for staged resumption of service as supplies return. For food retailers, chilled and frozen stock checks may be necessary depending on the duration of the interruption. Residents are encouraged to reset appliances carefully once power is back and to check trip switches if only part of a property is without supply.
Local impact and next steps
Power cuts of this nature are uncommon but not unheard of across Tyneside’s ageing distribution network, particularly in densely built areas where underground cable access can be complex. The visible presence of cordons around the station and bridge underscored the safety-first approach while engineers worked to isolate the fault and restore sections of the grid.
Northern Powergrid has said it will continue to issue updates as crews complete switching and repairs. Anyone who is medically dependent on power and not yet registered for priority support is encouraged to do so. Residents who spot damage to equipment such as cabinets or manhole covers should avoid the area and use the channels above to report it. As the investigation into the exact cause of the fault continues, routine post-incident inspections are expected to ensure there is no residual risk to nearby streets and commercial premises.
