Broken Mains Cable

fugglestick

Whilst repairing an outside old water pipe, I inadvertently went through the Boards mains supply into my house, despite keeping an eye out for services.

They were really quick getting out but the cable that ran down the middle of my driveway was only 200mm deep. It scare the hell out of us when we went through it, hell of a bang and we were not expecting it to be that shallow. There was no gravel/sand trench or and tape indication the cable was there.

Weston Power have said I was liable and they would be sending me an invoice for the work. Heaven knows how much that will be.
Surely they should but mains cables deeper than 200mm?. There could have been a significant risk to life.

Does anyone know if I am liable there?
Thanks

System

There would appear to be a number of similar threads on this site. Have you checked your Buildings Insurance policy?

C_Mababejive

As with all utilities, the damager pays. Just pass it to your insurance co or pay it yourself.

spiro

fugglestick wrote: »

They were really quick getting out but the cable that ran down the middle of my driveway was only 200mm deep. It scare the hell out of us when we went through it, hell of a bang and we were not expecting it to be that shallow. There was no gravel/sand trench or and tape indication the cable was there.

As the cable was under a drive they wouldn't expect people to be digging there.

JC_Derby

Highly probable that the drive has been relaid and surface levels reduced.
As for gravel tape or sand, your cable could have been laid 30 or 40 years ago. They can be an indication that a service is in the vicinity, but no guarantee whatsoever.

As stated, yes you are liable.

Buzby

Most users use a sniffer to detect pipes and cables - I hired one from HSS and in a weekend it cost £22 and I did 4 jobs, as neighbours wondered where theirs were.

Not much help, but it was your property and responsibility. Ask the crew if they'll mark it this time, or better yet, put it in a protective conduit.

Cardew

Buzby wrote: »

Not much help, but it was your property and responsibility. Ask the crew if they'll mark it this time, or better yet, put it in a protective conduit.

I assumed it would have been in a protective conduit??


The OP hasn't said how he damaged the cable. A small trowel? a pickaxe? a JCB?

chanz4

have to be something electric / petrol machine as those cables are armoured and thick

Kiran

Where does the WPD drawing say the cable is on their drawing?

C_Mababejive

Cardew wrote: »

I assumed it would have been in a protective conduit??


The OP hasn't said how he damaged the cable. A small trowel? a pickaxe? a JCB?

No. Twiddly bits of wire to individual homes are rarely ducted unless its new build.

Even multi KV cables are often not ducted.

Anyone excavating in the highway(not private) would obtain plans and undertake plant location/marking out.