Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is set to commence work on a £5.3 million upgrade project, critical to maintaining a resilient and robust power supply to customers and businesses in North Hyde.
Starting on Tuesday 5 May, the eight-month long project will see the upgrade and replacement of network infrastructure supplying over 16,000 customers in the local area through new transformers, circuits and cables that run from North Hyde substation to Fox West substation; a distance of three and a half kilometres.
This essential programme of works has been carefully planned to be undertaken without any impact on electricity supply to customers. It is expected to be completed, on time and on budget, in January 2021 and is required to boost the capacity and resilience of the power supply to both Prologis Park and the area's surrounding homes and businesses.
The works will be undertaken with strict adherence to the Government's Covid-19 guidelines. SSEN's frontline operation teams are designated as critical workers to ensure works that support the supply of electricity to households can continue, to support nationwide efforts to stay at home.
Stuart Dickson is SSEN's Project Manager for the works and explains more:
"This is an exciting multi-million pound investment programme to deliver the infrastructure that supports homes and businesses across North Hyde. I am proud that during these unprecedented times SSEN engineers and contractors are continuing to work to deliver our core purpose - to deliver electricity that powers communities in a safe and reliable way."
Network reliability is a key priority for SSEN and the customers its serves. Following a series of discussions, SSEN took the decision to carry out this substantial investment to further improve network resilience and future-proof its infrastructure for customers' changing demands. This is part of SSEN's ongoing commitment to keeping the power flowing for customers, especially during this difficult time.
Stuart added: "I want to reassure those who live and work in the vicinity of this upgrade, that we are doing all we can to minimise disruptions while we safely and efficiently complete the works."
SSEN plans to undertake the works between 07:30 and 16:00 Monday through to Friday and 08:00 to 14:00 on Saturdays. Only urgent works will be undertaken on Sundays and would be under restricted hours.
SSEN is available to discuss the project with local residents, or any residents who may require special access requirements, or anyone who has concerns regarding the works, on 0845 330 8615, or by emailing infoinstalcom.co.uk.
Letter drops will be carried out to homes and businesses to update them on the phases of the project as it reaches their immediate area and, as some of the areas of the upgrade may lead to minor traffic management systems being used temporarily, details will be posted on www.roadworks.org.