Eastbourne Town Centre Hit by Major Power Cut – Engineers on Site Overnight
A widespread power outage struck Eastbourne town centre on Saturday evening (22 June), plunging major high street retailers into darkness and affecting traffic signals in one of the town’s busiest areas.
The outage has impacted Wetherspoons, McDonald’s, KFC, and several shops along Terminus Road, with many businesses forced to close early or halt services.
Engineers Working Through the Night
UK Power Networks confirmed that engineers arrived at the scene shortly after 8:00pm to investigate suspected equipment faults at a local substation. In a public update at 8:27pm, the company said:
“As any issues that currently exist on our network have affected our equipment at the substation, engineers will start their testing there. They will then check our network equipment throughout the area to try and identify any problems.”
A second statement at 8:55pm suggested the issue may be more complex than initially expected:
“We believe there may be a deeper issue causing the recent interruptions,” said Stuart from UK Power Networks. “Sometimes, the heat from a developing fault can cause a damaged cable to temporarily reseal itself, which makes it difficult to locate.”
UK Power Networks has warned that full cable repairs may be required, potentially involving excavation work, traffic management, and extended repair timeframes.
Estimated Restoration Time: 1am–2am
The estimated window for restoring full power is between 1:00am and 2:00am on Sunday, but engineers are preparing for overnight work if ground-level faults are detected.
Impact on Businesses and Transport
The blackout has caused significant disruption for retailers and diners, particularly on Terminus Road, where restaurants and shops have gone dark. Nearby traffic lights were also disabled, raising safety concerns for motorists and pedestrians.
Residents and business owners have expressed frustration on social media, with some reporting flickering power throughout the evening.
What to Expect
- Possible repeated outages overnight
- Repair teams remain on site
- Traffic signals may continue to be affected
- Customers are advised to charge devices and keep torches accessible
Stay Updated
UK Power Networks is continuing to post updates on its official website and via its @UKPowerNetworks social media accounts.
