Plans on how to deliver a £16m investment project to upgrade electricity infrastructure in Coniston are being reviewed following community feedback.
The multimillion-pound project will see new underground cables installed throughout the village and surrounding area, reducing power cuts, speeding up restoration times and improving storm resilience after the area was hit hard by Storm Arwen in 2021.
Where possible the new cables are being laid using traffic lights to keep engineers and the public safe, but some road closures are required during the work where sections of the route are too narrow to allow traffic to pass. The timing and delivery of these road closures are now being reviewed to minimise disruption.
Sean Leape, Capital Delivery Programme Manager at SP Electricity North West, said: "As part of our commitment to work with and listen to the community, we shared details of proposed road closures at a community drop-in session earlier this week. This included a proposed four-week closure of the A5084 from 2 November.
"While this was given approval by Westmorland and Furness Council, we have heard the strength of feeling from residents and businesses loud and clear, and we have agreed to temporarily pause and review all road closures as part of this project.
"Some closures will definitely still be required to complete the work, but for now we will continue working under traffic lights while we carry out the review of closures to ensure we have the right balance for the community."
The overhead power network that currently serves the area was hit badly by Storm Arwen in 2021 with properties left without power and no alterative supply for days.
The new underground cable network, proposed by SP Electricity North West engineers, covers a route of more than 30km and will provide an alternate supply by connecting into other parts of the region's electricity infrastructure.
Sean added: "We know that this work is wanted and needed and we also know that there will be an element of disruption for long-term gain. We'll continue working closely with the council, parish councils, businesses, residents and other stakeholders to strike the right balance in getting the work completed.
"There are no simple solutions here and while we continue to explore options such as using part of a disused rail line, some suggestions such as putting the cable in Coniston Water are not feasible for a variety of practical, engineering and legal reasons including the need for future access and the fact that significant road works would still be required.
"I can reassure the community that we want to work together to deliver the long-term benefit that this programme will bring.
"I hope this review demonstrates the thought and consideration we are putting into this project so that we ensure Coniston remains open for business throughout the work."
One low impact road closure to the north east of Coniston on an unclassified road with a minimal diversion will still go ahead as planned from the Drunken Duck pub to Hawkshead Hill via Sunny Brow Farm. The pub remains accessible and open for business.
For more information, visit www.enwl.co.uk/coniston.
