Scottish Affairs Committee - A Robust Grid for 21st Century ScotlandWritten evidence submitted by Depute Provost James Robertson

Following the recent severe weather conditions, as a councillor for the Fortissat Ward which covers Salsburgh and Shotts, I am extremely concerned about the disconnection of the electrical supply especially in Salsburgh which lasted upwards of four days.

Salsburgh is a relatively isolated former mining village and lies at one of the highest points in North Lanarkshire. It frequently suffers from more extreme weather than other parts of North Lanarkshire. In addition, Salsburgh has no gas supply so electricity it is the only form of heating, lighting and cooking.

Following the storm, many senior citizens contacted me to say that they had been left without these most basic of resources. As a local councillor, they contacted me and their local MP, Pamela Nash, for help and information.

I am concerned that the information that was provided by Scottish Power was in the form of the post code areas affected. This made it difficult for me to target those constituents who might need help.

Whilst I understand that Scottish Power faced an unprecedented level of work following the storm, it seems clear to me that we should take action to make the power supply infrastructure more robust and also that there is a need for improved communication systems when these problems do occur.

2 February 2012