Coniston power upgrade road closure plan paused
Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 06:58 · Archive
SP Electricity North West has paused plans for a four-week closure of the A5084 in Coniston after community backlash.
SP Electricity North West has temporarily paused planned road closures for a £16 million power upgrade in Coniston after residents and businesses voiced strong opposition. The project aims to install more than 30km of underground cabling to improve electricity reliability, reduce power cuts and speed up restoration times following extended outages during Storm Arwen in 2021.
The company had proposed a four-week closure of the A5084 starting from 2 November. Although Westmorland and Furness Council had approved the plan, SP Electricity North West said it 'heard the strength of feeling from residents and businesses loud and clear' at a community drop-in session and agreed to pause and review all road closures as part of the project.
Sean Leape, capital delivery programme manager at SP Electricity North West, said: 'Some closures will definitely still be required to complete the work, but for now we will continue working under traffic lights while we carry out the review of closures to ensure we have the right balance for the community.'
The company is now reassessing the timing and delivery of any necessary closures to limit disruption. The new underground network will connect to other parts of the electricity grid, providing an alternate supply and improving storm resilience.
Leape stated: 'We know that this work is wanted and needed and we also know that there will be an element of disruption for long-term gain. We'll continue working closely with the council, parish councils, businesses, residents and other stakeholders to strike the right balance in getting the work completed.'
How it is being reported
- Four-week Coniston road closure plan paused after residents and businesses speak outA £16 million power upgrade in the Lake District is being reviewed after community feedback raised concerns about road closures.NW Evening Mail · 24 Oct, 06:00
- Four-week Coniston road closure plan paused after residents and businesses speak outA £16 million power upgrade in the Lake District is being reviewed after community feedback raised concerns about road closures.News & Star · 24 Oct, 06:00
- Four-week Coniston road closure plan paused after residents and businesses speak outA £16 million power upgrade in the Lake District is being reviewed after community feedback raised concerns about road closures.Whitehaven News · 24 Oct, 06:00
- Four-week Coniston road closure plan paused after residents and businesses speak outA £16 million power upgrade in the Lake District is being reviewed after community feedback raised concerns about road closures.Westmorland Gazette · 24 Oct, 06:00
In this story: SP Electricity North West · Coniston · A5084 · Westmorland and Furness Council · Storm Arwen · Sean Leape
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