THOUSANDS of people left without electricity during the three-day power cut could receive “a goodwill gesture” of £50.

EDF Energy Networks will be writing to 93,000 of their customers offering the money to those who were without power for more than 24 hours.

Households and businesses in Bexley, Dartford and Orpington lost power after a fire broke out on a cable bridge by the Riverside Industrial Estate in Dartford on July 20.

Engineers worked around the clock bringing in generators until power was eventually restored three days later.

Police are still investigating the cause of the fire, but have not ruled out vandals or thieves.

An EDF spokeswoman said: “Due to the exceptional nature of the event in Dartford last week, the incident is outside the scope of the Electricity Guaranteed Standards regime set out by our regulator Ofgem.

“However, while this incident was caused by malicious action and was not due to a failure of our network, EDF Energy Networks would like to offer a goodwill gesture of £50 to those customers who were without supply for more than 24 hours continuously from 1pm on Monday, July 20, in recognition of the inconvenience caused.”

EDF say that the payments are not intended as compensation to businesses and residents who suffered losses during the power cut.

The spokeswoman said: “It is a goodwill gesture in recognition of the inconvenience caused in these exceptional circumstances to those who suffered the most inconvenience.

“Customers are advised to contact their insurance company on matters relating to losses.”

Security

Meanwhile EDF say that they had “significant protection” in place at the site at the time of the fire and are reviewing security.

A spokeswoman said: “Security included solid steel doors at either end of the bridge which were locked with industrial padlocks.

“These locks were cut off with heavy duty tools and a deliberate fire was set.

She added: “This was not an opportunist attack.

“It was carried out with someone who went prepared to break in and equipped with the tools to do so.

“We have been working closely with the police since the attack happened to help them to try and trace those involved.”

Were you affected by the power cut? What is your reaction to EDF's "goodwill gesture"? Leave your comment below.