Exploding pavements are on the rise in London
Video: Westminster Council have released new footage showing the worrying trend of "exploding pavements"
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The list of hazards to look out for when navigating London's streets just got longer...and more dangerous.
Aside from watching out for lost tourists and absentminded "texters", people in the capital must now be aware of the growing problem of exploding pavements.
This week, Westminster City Council released CCTV footage of a pavement exploding near Piccadilly Circus in July, 2014. The explosion narrowly missed two van drivers who had just passed the spot where the incident occurred.
This is not the first case of an exploding pavement and on Monday, energy representatives from Ofgem and UK Power Networks (UKPN) were questioned by Westminster City Council. The Council spoke with Ofgem Director Maxine Frerk and UKPN Chief Executive Basil Scarsella.
According to the Health and Safety Executive, 64 explosions have been reported so far in 2014 compared to 51 for the whole of last year. There were 32 cases in 2012, thus indicating a steady rise over the past few years.
The explosion seen in the latest video was found to have been caused by an electrical fault in a link box chamber.
Westminster Council said that the explosions can be caused by either a build-up of gas or moisture entering cables and other fittings.
UKPN's Scarsella told the committee that while the age of components was partly at fault, the large amount of rain over the last few years had also been a decisive factor in the rise of exploding pavements.
"We take these events extremely seriously, which is why we have included £80 million of expenditure over the next eight years on link box and cable pit inspections," he said.
Scarsella did say that eliminating exploding pavements altogether was impossible and Ian Adams, the chair of Westminster Council's Environment Policy and Scrutiny Committee, stressed that the "the threat still remains".
Back in May 2012, three women were injured on the corner of Edgware Road and Harrowby Street after a blast from an electrical utilities manhole. One woman had what police described as "life-changing injuries".
Later that year in November, another explosion from under a manhole cover in Shepherd's Bush knocked a woman off her bicycle.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments