Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) will begin essential work on the underground electricity cable network located in Portland's Fortuneswell on Saturday 13 February.
These works will be located between numbers 44 and 65 Fortuneswell and will take place from Saturday 13 February to Sunday 21 February 2021, with working hours between 8am to 10pm. This essential repair will not affect power supplies to the homes and businesses nearby, and is being carried out to ensure the resilience of the supply to those living and working the Portland area.
As this essential repair requires underground cables to be accessed, the road will be subject to a traffic management system, by means of temporary traffic signals in operation 24 hours a day, to ensure the safety of road users, pedestrians and SSEN engineers. In agreement with the local authority, all access to businesses, residential homes and pedestrians will be maintained.
SSEN's Project Manager, Adrian Wheadon said:
"I'd like to assure our Portland customers that we are working to complete these repairs as quickly and safely as possible, and would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused by these excavations. As SSEN is a considerate constructor and seeks to minimise disruption to customers wherever possible, we've worked with the local authority to schedule these works during the current lockdown.
"By doing this when the roads have considerably less traffic, we are able to complete the works in a shorter time, while still ensuring safety for both customers and colleagues, and adhering to strict Government guidelines and social distancing measures."
Nearby residents and business owners have been notified of the works and the agreed traffic management system by letter drop, and are assured that these emergency repairs will NOT affect their power supplies.
While there are no planned supply interruptions during these works, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks would like to take this opportunity to remind all of its customers of the additional services they can receive to help them deal with issues such as adverse weather and power cuts.
SSEN's Priority Services Register provides free additional support for customers who may become vulnerable during a power cut. Customers can qualify for SSEN's 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/aids reliant on electricity
- Are over 60
- Are categorised at 'high risk' or 'extremely high risk' of severe illness from coronavirus
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 website.
If you have any questions about these essential works, please contact Connect It Project Liaison Manager, Gavin Meaden on 07483 155762.