Northern Powergrid, the company responsible for the electricity network that powers everyday life for 8 million customers across 3.9 million homes and businesses in the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire, has announced an updated route and early 2020 schedule of work as part of its £30 million investment to improve the reliability and resilience of the electricity network serving Bradford.
Taking place between now and the end of 2022, the work focuses on replacing five of the major circuits that supply electricity to approximately two thirds of Bradford’s homes and businesses. This work will ensure that the local electricity network is capable of meeting the existing demand for power as well as any future increase in demand as the population grows and more households swap their cars for electric ones.
The first phase of the work started in October and is scheduled to run until winter 2020. It focuses on upgrading two major underground electricity circuits that run between Northern Powergrid’s Bradford West substation in Thornton and its Girlington substation with more modern and sustainable alternatives. The work involves excavating in the road, footpath or grass verge so that new cables can be laid.
Northern Powergrid is sharing amendments to its planned route, and updating the community on its progress to date as well as its schedule of work for early 2020:
• Old Allen Road to Back Lane, Thornton - completed November 2019
• Back Lane to Cote Lane via Allerton Road - completed December 2019
• Allerton Lane , Allerton - to be completed by 20 December 2019
• Weymouth Avenue, Allerton - 16 to 20 January 2020
Excavating in the road with traffic management in place.
• Millennium Green, Allerton - 21 January to 3 February 2020
New section of route added so that Northern Powergrid can avoid working along Bracewell Avenue.
• Bell Dean Road - 4 February to 12 March 2020
Excavating in the road and grass verge with traffic management in place.
• Thornton Road - 15 to 24 February 2020 (half term)
THERE WILL BE A TOTAL ROAD CLOSURE FROM 969 Thornton Road to Vine Terrace West (near Crossley Hall School). A diversion will be in place.
• Thornton Road - 13 March to 8 May 2020
Excavating in the road from Vine Terrace West to Four Lane Ends with traffic management in place.
• May 2020 - During May, Northern Powergrid will be moving on to work from Four Lane Ends along Cemetery Road and into Duncombe Road, Girlington. Firm dates for this work will be available in early 2020.
Steve McDonald, Northern Powergrid’s General Manager for the West Yorkshire Region, said: “We’re really pleased with the progress of our work so far which has been completed ahead of schedule. We’ve also been working hard behind the scenes to get permission to work across Millennium Green rather than along Bracewell Avenue as we initially planned. This will greatly reduce disruption to the local community.
“We’re continuing to work closely with Bradford Council and local transport companies to agree the least impactful routes and times. Although closing Thornton Road during February is unavoidable, we have tried to minimise the disruption associated with this by doing the work over the half term week and the weekends immediately before and after.
“We remain committed to keeping everyone up to speed with what we’re doing and when by issuing regular letters and updates via the local media and social media. Our teams will continue to be out and about in the areas that will be directly affected delivering letters and leaflets. They’ll be talking with residents and businesses about the work we’re doing to improve the network that powers their everyday life and our free Priority Services Register which offers extra support to customers who may be more vulnerable.”
As work progresses, Northern Powergrid will provide further updates via letters, local councillors, local and social media. A second phase of work for this investment in Bradford’s power network is planned to start in Summer 2020. Further details of timings and routes will be shared in the coming months.
While Northern Powergrid is not planning to turn off the power as part of this programme of work, it does have a free Priority Services Register for anyone who may need extra support in a power cut due to their medical or personal circumstances. By joining, individuals can access a range of additional services. To find out more visit www.northernpowergrid.com/care or call 0800 169 2996.
Anyone wanting to find out more about the investment work can also visit northernpowergrid.com, contact Northern Powergrid’s customer care team by calling 0800 011 3332 or by email generalenquiries@northernpowergrid.com The network operator is also available 24/7 on Facebook and Twitter.
