Tuesday January 12 2021

Northern Powergrid Begins Investment in Darlington Electricity Network

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Northern Powergrid is about to start a £9 million investment program to improve the reliability and resilience of the electricity network serving Darlington.

Beginning the week of January 25, 2021, and continuing through early 2024, the work focuses on replacing 48 kilometers of high-voltage underground electricity cables dating back to the 1950s with a more modern and sustainable alternative. The new cabling will be capable of meeting any future increase in the demand for power as the town develops, the population grows and more people swap their cars for electric vehicles.

The work is being carried out by O’Connor Utilities on Northern Powergrid’s behalf and involves excavating in the footpath and roadway at locations across the town. The route involves a number of main roads including Whessoe Road, Salters Lane North, Salters Lane South, Whinfield Road, Stockton Road and Haughton Road plus ancillary roads.

Northern Powergrid has worked closely with Darlington Council to agree on the best routes and times for the work to take place. Work through April 2021 has been scheduled, and the schedule beginning in May 2021 and beyond will be confirmed at a later date.

Northern Powergrid is committed to keeping local people informed and will contact anyone who will be directly impacted before work starts along each section of the route.

Paul Dixon, Northern Powergrid’s customer service manager for the Teesside region, said: “We’re always very aware of the potential impact of our work on people’s everyday lives, which is why we’re doing all we can to support and communicate with local people while we carry out this important investment in Darlington’s electricity network.

“We’ll be issuing information to all affected customers to explain what we’ll be doing and when. Our letters will also provide details of how to sign up for free to our Priority Services Membership which offers extra support to customers who may be more vulnerable.

“While we progress with our work in Darlington, we’ll be following the latest government advice to keep our employees, contractors and customers safe and our work will be carried out in line with the latest COVID-19 health and safety guidance. With this in mind, we’re asking customers not to approach our teams if they see them working unless it’s an electricity emergency – and, if they do, to always maintain social distancing.”