Works by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) to upgrade and strengthen the power supply to homes and businesses in Reading area are reaching the next phase.
The project to reinforce the existing network, will provide greater resilience to our existing customers and better opportunities for new connections. As part of this scheme a short section of overhead towers will be removed, with a further section of power line being undergrounded; an overall investment of £2 million of improvements designed to meet the increasing needs of homes and businesses in Reading.
The latest phase of the project will commence on Saturday 20 October when the team will begin trench operations to install cable ducting on the A4, starting at the roundabout at Sutton Park Avenue. To ensure the safety of those working on the project, a diversion up to Shepherds Hill roundabout will be in place for two days over the weekend.
From Monday 22 October, the works will then progress to the east bound lane of the A4 for a period of two weeks, with a rolling lane closure of both lane two eastbound and lane two of the west bound carriageway, with lane two (west bound) re-opened at night. During the works traffic flow will be maintained unrestricted both ways using the remaining two lanes of the four lane carriageway. All resurfacing works will be carried out as the works progress and signs highlighting the works to road users will be in place from Friday 5 October.
SSEN's Project Manager, Miles Crossley said: "This will be the most prominent section of works carried out on this project and the nature of working on such a busy stretch of road means that safety issues are raised for those working on the project, and diversions and lane closures are necessary for a short while during this phase."
"As always, our aim is to cause the minimum of disruption, while ensuring the safety of both our colleagues and road users. It's also SSEN's intention to work collaboratively with Wokingham Borough Council to arrange potential repair of iron works, such as drain covers, which would negate the need for further road works facilitated by the local authority at a later date."
For full details of diversions, closures and traffic management systems in your area, please go to www.roadworks.org.