Tuesday February 16 2016

Residents and Motorists Reminded Work to Start on Final Phase of Investment in Hulls Power Network

Filed Under:

News Release

Northern Powergrid and Hull City Council are reminding local residents, businesses and motorists that construction work will start on Spring Bank West this Saturday on the final phase of a £14 million project to upgrade Hull’s power network.

The investment by Northern Powergrid, the company responsible for running the region’s electricity network, will ensure customers in the area continue to receive a reliable electricity supply both now and in the future.

As part of the project, which is being carried out by Balfour Beatty, work will start on 13 February and will include drilling under the level crossing located on the junction of Spring Bank West and Walton Street to enable the installation of a new underground 132,000 volt electricity cable.

As part of the investment work there will be some traffic management with a lane closure from 13 February to 24 June on the east bound carriageway of Spring Bank West. There will also be a full road closure overnight on 13 February (from 11.55pm on the 13 February until 08:55am on the 14 February) and a diversion will be in place during this time.

Road signs alerting motorists to the traffic management have been in place since late January and will remain on site throughout. The electricity distribution company has also written to local residents and businesses to keep them informed about the work and is using its social media feeds to remind motorists about the local traffic management.

The work will cover a stretch of around 300 metres (around 150 metres either side of the railway crossing). As part of the project Northern Powergrid will work during the week in the areas either side of the crossing. The project also requires some drilling under the railway line. This has been coordinated in partnership with Network Rail and will take place at weekends. This will be during the night in order not to disrupt rail services and in line with track possession times provided by Network Rail.

Dave Smith, Northern Powergrid’s project engineer, said: “This £14 million project is key to improving Hull’s power network to ensure it is able to meet the future needs of the community and its residents.

“We do understand that traffic management on a busy route is never going to be popular but it is essential if we’re to complete this investment and provide a safe area for our teams to work.

“We’re working in partnership with Hull City Council and Network Rail to coordinate the final phase of our investment. We’d like to reassure customers that we’ll continue to do everything we can to minimise the impact and complete the final stage as quickly as we can for residents, businesses and motorists.”

Councillor Martin Mancey, Portfolio Holder for Energy City with responsibility for Highways and Transport, said: "We understand from Northern Powergrid that these works are essential in order to safeguard electricity supplies to residents and businesses in the city, and that the timing and programming of the works has required close coordination between Northern Powergrid and Network Rail.

“We will work with Northern Powergrid, their contractors and Network Rail to reduce, as far as possible, the inevitable disruption to the travelling public, but would request all road users and local residents to be tolerant, patient and understanding whilst these vital works are being carried out."

Courtesy boards will remain on site during all phases of the construction. Anyone with a general enquiries about the planned work in Hull can contact Northern Powergrid’s customer care team on 0800 298 7769 (Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm); email cus.serv@northernpowergrid.com.

Media contact: Joanne Kerrigan, External Communications Manager or Dawn Parlett External Communications Advisor on 0800 402 0692