Alton-Bordon Network Investment

We are investing £10.6M to boost Bordon’s electricity network. Commencing on 1 May 2023, the project is installing 18km of cabling to provide a modern and more resilient network. The cable is being laid underground. The upgrade process began on and continues along Oakhanger Road and will run west to the Alton Substation along Green Street and Caker Lane. The new cabling will continue to the east across to Bordon Substation on the outskirts of the town later this year. There are no Planned Supply Interruptions (PSI) 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 where space for cables is limited, especially in urban areas, underground laying of cables is an efficient way of maintaining the energy needs of a community. Electricity is transmitted from one point to another, using cables laid in an underground system, instead of the cables hanging from poles and towers. Underground cables are not visible to the naked eye.

Our multi-million pound upgrade began this spring, boosting the power supply in the area to future-proof the electricity network for homes and businesses. The programme is due to run until Autumn 2024, weather permitting. These dates are subject to change. Details of any changes will be available at 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 until September 2024. 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.

You can view the specific details of works by going onto the webpage and viewing each programme. Our construction works are generally constrained to approx. 100-200m in length, so residents and local traffic will have access either side of where we are currently working.

Due to the location and width of the trench that is being dug to lay the cable, there is not enough space on the road for cars to safely get by and for our workers to work safely.

Yes, the roads we are working on remain closed overnight to through traffic. Local access on either side of the works has been maintained.

Before the works began, SSEN completed road surveys to establish the condition s 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.

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.

Working in partnership with Hampshire County Council, it was agreed that starting work on Oakhanger Road would help to minimise travel disruption in the area. At the time of works commencing there were also third-party resurfacing works taking place on the A32, and beginning our work on Oakhanger Road allowed us to maintain access nearer the A32 and minimise travel disruption to the area.

Budds Lane forms part of the greater works for the installation of the new electricity network. To bolster resilience, SSEN are working with developers to undertake works at the same time, rather than works being undertaken as two separate jobs. This will help to minimise any disruption.

When a road is blocked to through traffic, it means it is closed to people who want to use it as a route to another destination. The people who live or work on that road 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 the section of road where the team is working.

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.

The works on Oakhanger Road were brought forward, as the original plan was to start the project on Mill Lane in Alton. Working in partnership with Hampshire County Council, it was agreed that starting work on Oakhanger Road would help to minimise travel disruption in the area.

When the project started in May 2023, third party resurfacing works were taking place on the A32. Beginning our works on Oakhanger Road allowed us to maintain access nearer the A32 and minimise travel disruption to the area. Unfortunately, with the works on Oakhanger Road being brought forward, it was not possible to source the equipment for the HDD to take place at the same time.

Road signs are being put into place with details of diversion routes where works are currently occurring, and this will continue as works progress. In addition, there will be a sign which states, “businesses open as usual”. The rules regarding signs state that the message should be quick and easy to digest, so we are not seeking to add further signage at this time.

Where our works affect bus stops, these stops will be closed, and we will request that a temporary stop be located within a short walk of the original location. Where entire roads are closed, buses will divert to an alternative route and information on these changes will be posted in-person and online by the bus operators.

SSEN is aware that the number 13 bus will no longer run between Alton and Whitehill. To help keep the community moving, SSEN is sponsoring a bus replacement service which will be in operation from Tuesday 6 February, until further notice. The service will consist of an eight-seater vehicle, operating weekdays.

Can I get in my/out of my drive? We have applied for various road closures and traffic management measures to be installed, and these have ensured continued access for residents as work has progressed. Our works are generally constrained to approx. 100-200m in length, allowing residents access on either side of our current working location. Where road closures are implemented, the roads will be closed to through traffic. When working directly outside of a property we will make every effort to maintain access, however, there will be occasions when we will be unable to enable access for vehicles in and out of a property. We will endeavour to alert residents to this if it occurs, and request that you make alternative arrangements for parking while affected. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.

We will ensure that works are completed as safely and as quickly as possible while keeping disruption to a minimum. During our works, there may be restrictions in place on roads and footpaths for periods of time. However, we will communicate these to affected stakeholders in advance of these works to share details of the traffic management. If your business is inside the work area, we may not always be able to guarantee access for deliveries during our work hours. We endeavour to engage with you to facilitate as best we can, any access required for deliveries etc. Please call or email our Community Relations Team with details of your requirements and let us know your circumstances and we will do all we can to assist.

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.

Please contact our Community Relations Team with details of your requirements and let us know your circumstances and we will do all we can to assist.

If you usually park on the road within the work area, you will need to find alternative parking nearby during the hours of the road closure. Off-road parking will not be affected however we cannot guarantee access in or out during our work hours.

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 will be laid and any traffic diversion routes in the area. You can also download our current programme of works, so you know where and when we are working.

We are a considerate constructor and want to 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.

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.

Write to us using Freepost: SSEN BORDON.

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