Works by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) to underground power supplies to a Dorset village are now underway. Taking just three months to complete, the £850,000 project in the Godlingston Hill area of Ullwell, Swanage is part of the distribution operator’s scheme to underground cables in areas that will be most visually improved.
The Dorset village is popular throughout the year with both tourists and local residents looking to explore the area and visit historic sites, such as the ancient bowl barrow. SSEN will restore the historic views to the site as as part of its ongoing £15m investment programme to underground 90km of overhead distribution lines in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Parks and National Scenic Areas across its central southern England and north of Scotland networks.
The works, which will run until late spring, will include the undergrounding of 1.5 kilometres of power cable, building resilience in to supplies for local homes and businesses, and the construction of a substation that will also provide power for the area’s National Trust offices.
Tim Brooks is SSEN’s Project Manager for the works. He said:
“My team and I are delighted to be carrying out this substantial project to remove the overhead cables on Godlingston Hill, replacing them with modern and efficient new cables that will be undergrounded.
“As well as providing a robust and flexible power supply for those living and working in the area, we will be building a network fit for the future as more people living and visiting Dorset turn to low carbon technologies such as electric vehicles.”
Tim continued:
“SSEN takes the time to fully consider both local customers and the environment to ensure minimal disruption during its projects, and while the timescale on this particular scheme is short in duration, the positive impact of the works will be significant for many years to come.”
Godlingston Hill was proposed by local stakeholders as having the potential for visual improvement through the removal of the overhead network, and through subsequent consultation and analysis of the works was approved as part of SSEN’s £15 million undergrounding programme.
While SSEN’s overhead infrastructure provides a secure and cost-effective way of safely distributing electricity to homes and businesses, the distribution operator appreciates that the network can have an impact on the natural environment in officially designated beauty spots.
It’s through this understanding that SSEN encourages local people and visitors to these areas to share their views and assist in highlighting where investment through this £15 million undergrounding scheme will make the most difference.
For further information on the scheme and how you can propose an area to be considered for an undergrounding projects, please go to https://www.ssen.co.uk/undergrounding/.
There will be one Planned Supply Interruption (PSI) during the works. This will take place on Thursday 9 February and all affected customers in the Ulwell area of Studland have already been notified of the interruption and those requiring additional help during this time have been offered assistance through SSEN’s Priority Services Register.
Customers are eligible for SSEN's free Priority Services Register (PSR) if they:
- Are deaf or hard of hearing
- Have a disability
- Live with children under five
- Are blind or partially sighted
- Have a chronic illness
- Use medical equipment/aids reliant on electricity
- Are over 60
- Temporarily need extra support
To find out more about the PSR, click here or call 0800 294 3259. Additionally, you can access further information on power cuts and how SSEN can assist you during this time, by going to: Power cuts & safety - SSEN.
About this author
