Upgrade works by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) to improve and strengthen the resilience of part of its Dorset electricity infrastructure are set to begin next month.
Over £220,000 is being invested in the network supplying Holton Heath to build a robust power supply for its 227 customers, with SSEN engineers commencing the project on Monday 7 March.
The programme of works will see an upgrade to the existing electrical equipment, through a new high voltage underground cable linking two substations, with the main body of the upgrade taking place over three consecutive weekends in a bid to minimise disruption to those living and working in the area.
SSEN's Project Lead, Nick White explains further:
"Having carefully considered the least disruptive way to carry out these essential improvement works, our engineers will be working on the weekends of14, 21 and 28 March 2020from 8pm on the Saturday to 5am on the Monday. While access will be available to homes and businesses during these works, temporary traffic management systems will be in place on the A351, at the Holton Heath traffic signals.
"Four-way temporary traffic signals will control access through the junction from Sandford Road, Wareham Road, Station Road and Organford Road while the works are in progress. Motorists are advised to expect delays while SSEN excavate and place their apparatus in the highway.
"Our aim is to reduce any inconvenience to residents and business owners, while also taking any potential noise issues into account, so we will be looking to keep any overnight working to a minimum. We've discussed the various working methods with Dorset Council's highways service to ensure that we're carrying out this upgrade in the way that causes the least inconvenience and would like to assure our customers that we will endeavour to carry out this project as quickly and safely as possible."
Network reliability is a key priority for SSEN and the customers it serves. Following a series of engagements with its customers SSEN took the decision to make this investment in Dorset to further improve network resilience, and future-proof its infrastructure for customers' changing demands. This is part of SSEN's commitment to taking a "you said, we did" approach to investing in its vital infrastructure.
While SSEN does not anticipate any interruptions to the power supply during the remaining ten weeks of these works, it is aware that people can feel vulnerable when their electricity goes off, especially during severe weather and customers can join the Priority Services Register if they:
- Are deaf or hard of hearing
- Have a disability
- Live with children under five
- Are blind or partially sighted
- Have a chronic illness
- Use medical equipment/aid reliant on electricity
- Are over 60
By registering for SSEN's PSR, customers will be proactively contacted to warn them of potential bad weather to help them prepare and to offer extra support where required. SSEN's teams will also keep in close and regular contact with its PSR customers during network outages to check they are getting the help they need.
To find out more about the PSR, click here, or call 0800 294 3259. For more information on all the support available from SSEN, and for helpful advice on preparing for and dealing with a power cut, please visit our webpage.