A multi-million pound investment by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) to boost resilience and future-proof the electricity infrastructure of a Dorset town is set to start next month.
The £3.7 million programme of upgrade works will begin on Wednesday 14 April and will benefit over 19,000 Poole residents. The project will run for eight monthsto enable the upgrade of 2.5 kilometers of underground cable; new sections of modern, robust cable will replace the existing oil filled cable which is reaching the end of its working life, allowing for a stronger network with capacity for future commercial and residential connections.
SSEN will begin these improvement works on Rigler Road towards the junction of Blandford Road, before moving on to Rockley Road, Goliath Road and then terminating at Hams Common Substation on Hercules Road.
SSEN is undertaking these works in adherence with the Government's coronavirus guidelines. These include strict hygiene measures, engineers working in small, designated bubbles' and thorough safety checks in advance of any work to ensure the safety of both colleagues and customers. SSEN would also like to reassure its customers that there are no Planned Service Interruptions (PSI) for the duration of these works, keeping the power flowing and supporting those who are at home or providing essential services during the current coronavirus restrictions.
SSEN's Project Manager, Ian Daniels said:
"I am delighted to be a part of this project which demonstrates SSEN's commitment to providing its customers in Poole with an efficient electricity network fit for their needs now and into the future; helping them meet their net zero goals.
"I would like to reassure customers in the vicinity of these works that, as considerate constructors, my team and I will do all we can to minimise the potential for any noise and disruption."
He continued:
"Due to current coronavirus restrictions, we are unable to hold a public engagement event for residents and business owners to come along, meet the SSEN Project Team and discuss the works.
"We want our customers to know that we are available to address any questions raised and will carry out letter drops in the coming weeks - to all nearby homes and businesses - containing details of the project and various ways of contacting the team.
SSEN will endeavour to keep all customers in the vicinity of the works updated and able to raise any concerns they might have directly through the Project Manager, by email: Ian.Danielssse.com, phone: 07918 470177.
SSEN's investment in Poole will ensure a power supply that suits the needs of residents now and in to the future by upgrading a critical section of this Dorset electricity network to help local communities achieve their decarbonisation ambitions; so as more customers turn to low carbon technologies such as electric vehicles, they have a supply and infrastructure that's fit for purpose.