Key Takeaways
- A power cut occurred in the CH42 postcode area of Birkenhead, affecting several homes on Summerford Close
- The incident was reported at around 5pm on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, and was accompanied by a "huge bang"
- Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) and Scottish Power engineers are currently at the scene, with a 30-metre safety cordon in place
- The cause of the power cut is believed to be a blown underground electric grid, and repairs are ongoing
- A estimated restoration time of 9:15pm on December 30, 2025, has been provided by Scottish Power
Introduction to the Incident
The evening of Tuesday, December 30, 2025, saw a sudden and unexpected power cut in the CH42 postcode area of Birkenhead, leaving several homes on Summerford Close without electricity. The incident was reported at around 5pm, and was accompanied by a "huge bang" that was heard by residents in the area. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) was quickly called to the scene, and Scottish Power engineers are also in attendance.
Eyewitness Account
Ebony Smith, a resident of Summerford Close, described the moment the power outage started. She said that the power went off at around 4:55pm, and was followed by a big bang. Smith and her neighbors were left in darkness, and soon emerged from their homes to investigate the cause of the outage. The fire brigade arrived shortly after, and some people were evacuated from their homes as a precaution. Smith reported that they had been told that the underground wires had blown, and that they had been stuck outside in the cold for hours.
Emergency Response
MFRS confirmed that a crew was alerted to the incident at 17:04, and arrived on the scene at 17:11. The crew found that a number of properties on Summerfold Close had lost power, and a blown electric grid was discovered nearby. Although there was no sign of smoke or fire, fire crews placed a safety cordon around the grid while awaiting the arrival of Scottish Power. A 30-metre cordon is currently in place, and is being managed by Merseyside Police. Part of Old Chester Road has been closed off while work is carried out, and motorists are advised to avoid the area.
Update from Scottish Power
In an update on its website, Scottish Power said that there is an unexpected power cut affecting the CH42 postcode area of Birkenhead. The company’s engineers are onsite, and are working to restore power as quickly as possible. In most cases, power can be restored by replacing a fuse at the local substation, but if the fault is more complex, repairs may take longer. Scottish Power has apologized for the inconvenience, and has estimated that power will be restored by 9:15pm on December 30, 2025.
Traffic and Travel
The incident has also caused disruptions to traffic in the area, with Old Chester Road closed in both directions between Union Street and Southwick Road. However, traffic alert service Inrix reported that traffic is coping well despite the closure. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and seek alternative routes.
Conclusion and Further Information
The power cut in the CH42 postcode area of Birkenhead is an ongoing incident, and residents are advised to follow updates from Scottish Power and MFRS for the latest information. The cause of the power cut is believed to be a blown underground electric grid, and repairs are ongoing. For the latest news and breaking news, visit liverpoolecho.co.uk/news, and follow the Liverpool ECHO on Twitter and Facebook for real-time updates.