The substation, on Selkirk Road, Astley Bridge, was specially selected to receive a community makeover as part of Electricity North West’s ‘Transforming our Spaces’ project.
Substations are critical parts of the power network, bringing electricity to local homes and businesses.
Through Transforming our Spaces, Electricity North West identified areas of land around substations which have suffered vandalism, lack wildlife, or may lack funding to carry out such community projects.
As part of the project, Electricity North West engineers cleared the site surrounding the substation as well as the nearby bus turning circle after proactively reaching out to Bolton Council to extend the project to the area.
Upon completion, ward councillor for Astley Bridge, John Walsh, was welcomed to the revamped area and shown around the site while meeting members of the Electricity North West team including chief executive Peter Emery.
“It was a pleasure to visit the revamped substation in Astley Bridge,” said councillor Walsh
“For a number of years, the site has been an eyesore and is quite predominant since the old school was closed and demolished.
“I would like to thank Electricity North West and particularly the staff who carried out the work. I know that residents appreciate their efforts.
“It is an area to be proud of, Electricity North West has done a tremendous job and I’ve already suggested the potential for planters to be installed where residents can plant flowers throughout the year.”
As well as Astley Bridge, eight other substations throughout the region have received makeovers.
Angie Thornton, delivery manager at Electricity North West, who is heading up the Transforming our Spaces project, added: “We’re over the moon with the results produced from our Astley Bridge project.
“At the start of the project, we had a number of problems due to top soil being stolen. But we powered through and now it looks absolutely stunning and has been an instant hit with members of the local community.
“The site has been an eyesore for a number of years but now it will be a community asset for many years to come.”
