A £240,000 project to increase the reliability of electricity network in West Cumbria is set to begin.
It is the first phase of a scheme by SP Electricity North West and engineers will start work in Moresby Parks, near Whitehaven, on Monday.
Over the next few weeks, teams will install 800m of underground electricity cable, connecting part of the network from Whitehaven Golf Club to Scilly Banks.
SP Electricity North West said the new cable would allow engineers to restore power much more quickly to properties in the area if power cuts happen.
Carol Pascoe, who is overseeing the work in Moresby Parks for SP Electricity North West, said: “We’re really pleased to confirm that work will start on Monday.
“We’ve worked closely with the parish council, residents, Cumberland Council councillor Gillian Troughton and the local MP, Josh MacAlister over the last 12 months to ensure our plans meet the community’s needs.
“The power network across Scilly Banks and Moresby Parks is predominantly overhead and is exposed when strong winds impact the area.
“This new cable means that the area will now benefit from a more resilient power supply and our teams will have the ability to switch and remotely restore customers.”
Phase one of the project will see ducting laid underground in readiness for the new cable before teams return to pull the cable into place and connect it to the network.
Phase two will see engineers reinforce the 11,000-volt overhead network providing further resilience to hundreds of customers.
“I’m really pleased to see this significant investment in Whitehaven’s power network moving forward,” added Mr MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven and Workington.
“After the severe storms last winter, Councillor Gillian Troughton and I raised the issue of repeated power cuts in Moresby Parks with SP Electricity North West and I’m grateful for their swift response and continued engagement with our community.
“This upgrade will make a real difference for residents and businesses by improving the reliability and resilience of our local electricity supply.”
