Residents and business owners in Bicester and the surroundings areas are being encouraged to attend local community events so they can meet the Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) team behind a £24 million investment programme in their electricity network.

Starting in the next few weeks and completing by late 2018, SSEN will improve the network to customers across Arncott, Bicester, Cottisford, Headington, Upper Heyford, Witney and Yarnton through the installation of a new 18km underground cable and a new electricity substation.

It's one of the biggest projects ever undertaken in central southern England and SSEN is keen to ensure that those who live and work in the area are kept up-to-date on the works and given the opportunity to see designs for the project to enable them to raise any questions or concerns they might have.

SSEN's Project Director for the Bicester to East Claydon project, Christopher Bratt, explains more: "By 2031, the Bicester area alone will see the construction of 10,000 new homes, so this multi-million pound investment is vital to meet the growth of local communities and to build the resilience of the electricity network that serves them."

"This programme of works will build a safe and reliable network that's fit for the future and we'd ask anyone who wants to find out more to come along to one of the community events we are holding ahead of the start of the project."

Details of the community events are as follows:

  • Thursday 30 March from 2:00pm to 7:00pm: Launton Village Hall, 1-3 Bicester Road, Launton, Bicester, OX26 5DP
  • Tuesday 4 April from 3:00pm to 7:00pm: Botolph Claydon Village Hall, Botyl Road, Botolph Clayton, Bucks, MK18 2LR.

Further information on the Bicester to East Claydon upgrade programme can be found here on the SSEN project page.