Northern Powergrid, the company responsible for the electricity network that powers everyday life for 8 million customers across 3.9 million homes and businesses in the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire, has started the first phase of a £300,000 investment to improve the reliability and resilience of the electricity network serving York city centre.
The work, which started today (7 May), to replace high voltage cable along Aldwark (running from St Anthony’s Hall on Peasholme Green to the corner of Aldwark and Goodramgate) will last for approximately six weeks.
It's the first of four schemes being delivered by Northern Powergrid as part of a wider investment programme in the city centre during 2019/20, which will see the company replacing some 2.5km of high voltage underground cable.
A social media campaign has been launched to make local people and businesses are aware of the important work being carried out by Northern Powergrid to ensure that York city centre has a safe and reliable power network for years to come.
In September/October 2019, the second phase of the scheme will see Northern Powergrid working for three weeks from the corner of Aldwark and Goodramgate towards the end of Deangate. Further details will be communicated about the exact timings of the work in the coming months.
To minimise disruption, Northern Powergrid is working along the route in 30 to 50 metre sections ensuring that vehicles and bicycles can continue to gain access. Traffic management and diversions are in place and arrangements have been made so businesses can continue to receive deliveries and pedestrian access for residents is maintained.
Mike Hammond, Northern Powergrid’s General Manager for the North Yorkshire Region, said: "We understand how important a safe and reliable power network is in supporting the local community, businesses and the tourism industry of York and that's why we're investing to improve the service we provide. At the same time we also understand the potential impact that carrying out these works can have on people’s everyday lives and our teams are working hard to ensure we minimise the impact where at all possible.
“As with any construction, there will be some localised disruption while we are carrying out this important work, but we’re liaising closely with local residents and businesses, as well as Rachael Maskell MP and ward councillors, so we can keep them updated on how we’re delivering on our commitments.
“We’re also working in partnership with City of York Council to ensure our works are delivered safely and efficiently - and are outside of the busy summer and winter tourist periods that are vital to the city.”
In September 2019, Northern Powergrid plans to deliver three further cable replacement schemes:
- Grosvenor Road/Bootham Crescent/Queen Annes Road,
- Jorvik/Coppergate/Tower Street, and
- Tadcaster Road/St Helen’s Road/Eason View.
Further details on the start dates for the work will be announced nearer the time.
The electricity network operator are actively sharing information through social media and on its website (northernpowergrid.com) and has written to local residents and businesses in the immediate vicinity of works to explain what is happening and why. Northern Powergrid is also reassuring local people that it's working, wherever possible, to minimise disruption and is not expected to affect local peoples’ electricity supply or require access to their properties.
Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central, said: “Investing in York’s infrastructure is vital to sustain and develop the local economy and support residents across the city. I will liaise with Northern Powergrid throughout the coming months during the upgrade to ensure that any issues impacting on local residents are addressed.”
Anyone with a general enquiry about the investment work can contact Northern Powergrid’s customer care team by calling 0800 011 3332 or by emailing generalenquiries@northernpowergrid.com.
