Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is to hold two public engagement events in February for residents, business owners and stakeholders to find out more about the multi-million pound upgrade works designed to upgrade the electricity infrastructure from Petersfield to Fernhurst.

The events to allow for ongoing discussions on the programme of works will be held at:

  • Milland Valley Memorial Hall, Iping Road, Milland, GU30 7NA on Wednesday 19 February 2020 between 15:00 and 18:00
  • Rake Village Hall, Brewells Lane, Liss, GU33 7JA on Monday 24 February 2020 between 15:00 and 18:00

Attendees will be able to talk to SSEN's team about the £8.4 million investment project which is scheduled to commence in March 2020, building resilience in the area's power supply through the undergrounding of sections of cable and the refurbishment of the primary substation on Bedford Road in Petersfield, will also allow for future commercial and residential connections.

The substation element of the project alone will provide power to 10,000 customers, with the overall programme of works keeping the infrastructure resilient and secure for decades to come, while the undergrounding of almost 15km of cable between Petersfield and Fernhurst will provide increased security of supply by removing the reliance on the area's overhead lines.

SSEN's Project Manager, Anthony Horne said:

"We're holding this public engagement event ahead of the scheduled commencement of these works, as we want to ensure we give all of those who live and work in the vicinity of this upgrade the opportunity to talk to our team and raise any questions or concerns they might have about the project.

"This investment programme and its timing have been carefully planned to minimise disruption to road users and reduce any possible noise levels for local residents. We'd like to ask anyone who lives and works in the area to take the opportunity to drop into one or both of our forthcoming engagement events next month."

All are welcome to attend the events at:

  • Milland Valley Memorial Hall, Iping Road, Milland, GU30 7NA on Wednesday 19 February 2020 between 15:00 and 18:00
  • Rake Village Hall, Brewells Lane, Liss, GU33 7JA on Monday 24 February 2020 between 15:00 and 18:00

Network reliability is a key priority for SSEN and the customers its serves. Following a series of discussions, SSEN took the decision to make the investment 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.

These planned works are due to start in March 2020 and will run for a period of 19 months. As a considerate constructor, SSEN will endeavour to carry out this project with as minimal an impact as possible and fully understands the importance of reducing any potential disruption, enhancing safety and enabling the provision of a safe and reliable supply for the area's homes and businesses.

For the duration of the works, SSEN will be available to address any questions raised by the community, so that all parties involved are able to influence any possible impact these works may have.

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.