Devizes electricity works rescheduled after traders' campaign

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 06:15 · Archive

Nearly 200 people have backed a campaign to delay electricity cable replacement works in Devizes town centre, citing Christmas trading concerns.

Nearly 200 people have signed a letter calling on Devizes Town Council to press Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) to delay cable replacement works in the town centre. Town centre traders urged the council to ask for the works to be postponed, warning that the timing could damage businesses during one of their most important trading periods.

The works were originally scheduled to run from October 12 until December 18, affecting parts of The Brittox, Little Brittox, Wine Street, Long Street, Morris Lane and The Shambles, with traffic management measures in place. Traders expressed concern about the impact following what they describe as months of roadworks and temporary traffic lights already in the town centre.

SSEN and Wiltshire Council say the programme has been revised. The main phase is now due to begin on October 12 and finish by November 21, with further work postponed until January. The company said no roads or footways would be fully closed and confirmed that works would be paused from the end of November until the beginning of January.

SSEN says the work is essential to replace electricity cables whose condition has contributed to an increased number of power cuts in the area. A spokesman said: 'We've undertaken extensive in-person engagement prior to works beginning to explain that these improvements are essential to deliver a more reliable electricity supply for homes and businesses.'

Shopkeepers Justina Pettifer and Phil Johns have complained about the plans for utility roadworks in the town centre in the run-up to Christmas.

How it is being reported

• New timetable for major works announced after huge opposition from tradersNearly 200 people have backed a campaign calling for electricity works in a Wiltshire town centre to be delayed.Swindon Advertiser · 9 Oct, 05:00
• New timetable for major works announced after huge opposition from tradersNearly 200 people have backed a campaign calling for electricity works in a Wiltshire town centre to be delayed.Wiltshire Times · 9 Oct, 05:00
• New timetable for major works announced after huge opposition from tradersNearly 200 people have backed a campaign calling for electricity works in a Wiltshire town centre to be delayed.Gazette & Herald · 9 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Devizes · Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks · Wiltshire Council · Network Plus · Justina Pettifer · Phil Johns

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