Second phase of £1.2m power network upgrade now under way

A major £1.2m project upgrading sections of a town’s power network is now well under way.

Stockport-based Electricity North West, which operates the region’s power network, commenced work back in April on phase two of its project in Hareholme, Rawtenstall.

The scheme, which will benefit thousands of customers throughout the town, will see engineers replace eight underground electricity cables stretching two kilometres from Bacup Road towards Waterfoot.

Engineers have already carried out most of the initial work which includes excavating and laying hundreds of metres of ducting where the new cables will eventually sit.

Dave Kenneford, Electricity North West’s project manager for the work in Rawtenstall, said: “We’re really pleased with the progress we are making.

“Although we started slightly later than initially planned because of the lockdown, we’ve been able to take advantage of the quieter roads and complete a lot of our initial underground work.

“For years, customers in the area have experienced power cuts caused by the ageing cables.

“Phase one, completed last year, replaced the cables from Bacup Road to Lower Cloughfold, and now phase two will bring benefits to even more residents and businesses in the area.”

He added: “Our teams are working hard to keep disruption to a minimum as well as adhering to all government guidelines in place which include social distancing.

“I want to thank everyone in Rawtenstall for their cooperation and patience with the ongoing roadworks.”

To ensure engineers can carry out the work safely, two-way traffic lights will be in operation throughout the project and all work processes observe social distancing.

Work is expected to be completed in February.

Electricity North West will closely monitor the flow of traffic, but commuters are advised to allow extra time for their journey and try to avoid the area where possible.