Electricity North West has paused its £1m power network upgrade in Windermere for the summer holidays to reduce disruption for visitors and businesses.
The power network operator started work installing 5.4km of underground electricity cables late last year.
The project, planned in partnership with Cumbria County Council, now Westmorland and Furness Council, and Cumbria Tourism, will create crucial new capacity in the local electricity grid to enable the installation of Windermere’s first electric ferry as well as potential new electric car charging points in the town.
Engineers have progressed through several stages of the project, despite the difficult ground conditions and have now paused work for the summer to ensure tourism isn’t affected.
John Wilkinson, who is overseeing the work for Electricity North West, said: “We’re pleased with the progress we’re making, despite the challenges we’ve experienced, particularly the ground-breaking conditions which have been a lot more difficult than expected.
“We’ve now paused work for the holidays, so tourism isn’t affected. Throughout the project we’ve worked with businesses and local representatives to minimise disruption where possible and during busier periods we’ve paused or moved work to a quieter area of the town. By pausing for the summer, it means visitors can enjoy Windermere and Bowness without any disruption on the roads.
“The work we are carrying out is a major investment for the town and hundreds of thousands of visitors, residents and businesses will benefit in the future from both the ferry and car charging points.”
Work is expected to resume in September where engineers will lay the remaining ducts before laying the cables and finally connecting them to the power network.
Ahead of work resuming, Electricity North West will proactively contact businesses in the area, so they are made aware.
Gill Haigh, managing director of Cumbria Tourism, added: “Electricity North West’s project in Windermere will undoubtedly bring long-term benefits to the visitor economy and our communities.
“As Patrons of Cumbria Tourism, we greatly value their understanding of our industry’s importance to our businesses community and the many people whose jobs it supports. The pausing of the works during the peak holiday season is greatly appreciated and we look forward to their completion and the improvements they will bring.”
