Final phase of £2.2m Rawtenstall power project to commence

Final phase of £2.2m Rawtenstall power project to commence

Work is set to start on phase two of a multimillion-pound project upgrading the power network in an East Lancashire town.

Engineers from Electricity North West will start work on May 11th replacing eight underground electricity cables stretching 2km in Rawtenstall.

The firm, which operates the region’s power network, is spending an additional £1.2m on the project, which will benefit thousands of customers in the town and its surrounding areas.

Work is expected to last for nine months and will be carried out on Bacup Road towards Waterfoot. Last year, Electricity North West invested £1m upgrading nine underground electricity cables stretching 1.2km along Bacup Road which were first installed in the 1950s.

Dave Kenneford, Electricity North West’s project manager for the work in Rawtenstall, said: “We provide a critical service and it’s important we continue with key work to maintain and upgrade the electricity network, even through the current situation.

“For several years, customers in the area have experienced power cuts caused by the ageing underground electricity cables and after upgrading an initial nine last year, we want to capitalise on the success of the project and commence phase two.

“Our latest project is complex, but we are committed to Rawtenstall and we’re investing a further £1.2m and thousands of customers will benefit for many years to come.”

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

Work is expected to be completed in February.

Electricity North West will closely monitor the flow of traffic but please allow extra time for your journey and try to avoid the area where possible. For more information and updates please visit www.enwl.co.uk/rawtenstall