SP Energy Networks has pledged that road works currently taking place to replace ageing underground cables at Lymm will not disrupt Lymm May Queen Festival on Saturday, May 16.
The distribution network operator says the vital investment in the local electricity network is progressing well with several phases of work to replace ageing underground cables now complete.
The firm is investing more than £2 million to replace 13km of underground electricity cables that have been serving the local community for more than 70 years
But the work has come in for strong criticism from local residents and councillors because of the disruption it has caused.
SP Energy Networks says, to minimise disruption, the works have been delivered in phases, with teams currently working along Rushgreen Road. The schedule has been carefully planned so the works on the final section of the road – between Sandy Lane and Birch Brook Road – will be completed ahead of the Lymm May Queen Festival.
If any unexpected delays were to occur, the firm will pause the works and lift the road closure in time for the festival.
Paul Kehoe from SP Energy Networks said: “With the existing infrastructure reaching the end of its operational life, these works are vital to ensure we not only keep the lights on for the people of Lymm, but create the capacity for them to take advantage of low-carbon technologies like electric vehicles, solar panels and heat pumps. This is an investment in a cleaner and greener future that benefits everyone.
“However, we know that comes with some disruption and we’re doing everything we can to keep that to a minimum, including funding a temporary shuttle bus service and putting in place a dedicated minibus to get students from Partington to Lymm High School. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank local people for their patience and understanding.”
The next phase will see the works move to Chaise Meadow from May 22 and Reddish Lane from May 28, where short single-lane closures will be in place. Works on Sandy Lane are also scheduled to resume in early June, having been postponed to help minimise disruption.
One critic of the road works has been Cllr Graham Gowland (pictured above). He said the disruption in Lymm had been unacceptable.
“ The road network in Lymm has very little spare capacity, and when key routes are closed for weeks, the knock-on effects spread quickly across the village. While the long-term upgrade to our electricity supply is necessary, residents are rightly frustrated by the current level of disruption, poor sequencing and inadequate mitigation.”
More information, including a programme of works, is available online at www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/lymm
