Alton-Bordon Network Investment

We are investing £10.6M to boost Bordon’s electricity network. Commencing on 1 May 2023, the project has been installing 18km of cabling to provide a modern and more resilient network. The team have nearly completed phase 1 of the programme which includes trenching works and laying ducts.

In January 2025, the team are moving to phase 2 of the programme where they will connect the ducts and pull the cable through. There are no planned supply interruptions (PSIs) scheduled to take place during the works.

As a result of significant developments in and around the Bordon area, the existing electricity network is unable to meet the forecast increase in demand over the coming years. To overcome this shortfall in capacity, we are installing a new primary substation in the Bordon area. In addition to the replacement and upgrade of existing infrastructure, we are also upgrading connections at the associated substations.

This investment in the latest technology will ensure the strength of Alton and Bordon’s power network for years to come, keeping essential power flowing to those living and working in the area.

In areas with limited space for cables, particularly in urban settings, underground cable installation is an efficient solution to meet a community's energy needs. Electricity is transmitted through cables laid underground, rather than being suspended from poles and towers. This approach also preserves the aesthetic beauty of the location, as underground cables are not visible.

The works in phase 1 involve digging trenches, Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD), and installing the cable ducts in the ground. Once installed, the trench is filled back in and the road resurfaced. In most cases, these works require a road closure.

In phase 2, the team are returning to install joint bays to connect the ducts. Once installed, the cable will be pulled through. Where possible, the team will keep the road open and carry out the works under temporary traffic lights.

The cable is not laid during the trenching works because it is not practical to do so and would be more disruptive to the road network. To facilitate laying it underground, the cable is delivered in lengths of between 500  – 1000 metres, which needs to be safely stored before use. While it only takes a few days to pull a length of cable, trenching the same length takes several weeks. Additionally, it is impractical to keep a 500  – 1000 metre trench open for an extended period. For safety reasons only 30 metres of trench is open at a time, allowing local access to be maintained over a longer length of road.

Therefore, the entire length of duct is installed first. Then the cable is pulled through the duct using small open pits spaced a cable length apart, with cable jointing being the final phase to connect all the lengths of cable. This method provides additional protection for the cable compared to laying it directly in the trench; providing greater network resilience.

Our multi-million pound upgrade began in May 2023, boosting the power supply in the area to future-proof the electricity network for homes and businesses. The programme is due to complete by  Summer 2025.

These dates are subject to change. Details of any changes will be available at http://www.ssen.co.uk/alton-bordon-network-investment and locals will be notified of delays as soon as possible via post and email.

The works are ongoing seven days a week. Work will take place between the hours of:

• 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday (no work takes place on bank holidays)
• 8am to 4pm on Saturdays
• 9am to 3pm on Sundays

Extensive details of the works and a map of the cable route can be found on our website.

It is anticipated that most of the joint bay and cable pull work will take place under temporary traffic lights, but details will be shared once approved by the Local Highway Authority.

However, if we do need to close a road, people who live or work on a road we close can still drive in and out. Residents, delivery drivers, blue light services and the council’s waste collection service can all still use the road in both directions, via the diversion route, up to where the team is working.

Pedestrian access is always maintained. If you are concerned about accessing your property during this time, please contact us using the details below.

We’re committed to carrying out this essential project with the minimum disruption, especially for emergency services. As is standard practice for projects which have an official traffic management programme, full details of these plans and any subsequent updates are shared with all emergency services via the local council’s Highways Department.

The route chosen is the most direct and therefore the most economical route. As a Statutory Undertaker, SSEN have the right to install/maintain their plant and equipment within Public Highway under the Highways Act of 1980. There are no rights to install/maintain plant and equipment within private property without the consent of the landowners.

Ensuring the local community is aware in advance of any disruptive works is essential for all construction projects. Where communities will be significantly affected (e.g. full road closures, particularly noisy work, and work outside of core working hours) we endeavour to issue advance works notifications at least two weeks before the works are due to begin. These advance works notifications will describe the works we are carrying out, how communities might be affected, and the duration of those works. We’ll also put in place advance warning signs on the road network ahead of closures and diversions.

Before the works began, SSEN completed road surveys to establish the conditions of the roads so that once the works are complete, the roads will be returned to their previous condition. SSEN continues to remain in discussions with Hampshire County Council (HCC), who as the Local Highway Authority are responsible for highway maintenance.

In partnership with HCC, we encourage residents and road users to report damage to the roads on the council website, so that they can be reviewed and officially actioned. You can do this here: Roads and road maintenance | Hampshire County Council (hants.gov.uk). If reported via the local office mechanism, they can then evaluate the damage and decide what action is needed. However, we will continue to raise all enquiries we receive regarding conditions on these roads to them.

Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) will be used to install the underground cables at specific points along the cable route where trenching would not be appropriate. HDD is a minimal impact trenchless method of installing underground utilities such as pipe, conduit or cables along a prescribed underground path, using a surface-launched drilling rig. It offers significant environmental advantages over traditional cut and cover pipeline/utility installations.

The technique is routinely used when conventional trenching or excavating is not practical or when minimal surface disturbance is required.

There is no process by which SSEN offer compensation for any inconvenience or loss caused in the undertaking of the statutory duties. However, this does not affect your Statutory Rights.

Great care is taken throughout the programme of works to minimise the risk of incidents taking place which may damage private property. In the unlikely event that an isolated event does occur, please contact our Community Relations Team.

Visit our website at www.ssen.co.uk/alton-bordon-network-investment for more information about our investment in your area. The website will be updated as works progress. It includes an interactive map showing where the cable has been laid. You can also download our current programme of works, so you know where and when we are working.

We want to be a good neighbour to you and help answer any questions you may have.

Have a query? You can email us at community@ssenbordon.co.uk or call us on 0800 046 9034. Or you can write to us using Freepost: SSEN BORDON.

Have a complaint? You can email us at customercomplaints@ssen.co.uk or call us on 0800 980 1395.

Concerned about vulnerability in a power cut? Visit www.ssen.co.uk/priorityservices or call us on 0800 284 3259