Major boost to power supplies in Kettering

10 November 2021

A major initiative to boost power supplies and support the development of new homes and businesses in east Kettering has started.

Western Power Distribution (WPD) is committed to investing in its network to further improve supply reliability and customer service levels.

The first phase of this new initiative involves the installation of 6.5km of new underground cables between an existing substation at Rothwell Road in Kettering and a proposed new substation at Hanwood Park.

This work will help to further safeguard supply reliability to more than 20,000 customers in the area while also supplying power to the new Hanwood Park development. It is expected to complete next spring. During this time, traffic management will be in place to enable the contractors, O’Connor Utilities Ltd, to install the cables. 

“This work ensures that we can provide a high level of service to these areas in the long term by improving the infrastructure and security of our electricity network", said James Bradley, Team Manager for the area.

“Our aim is to keep any disruption to an absolute minimum. We are currently working with West Northamptonshire Council, other utility companies and local businesses and residents to schedule our works to minimise the inconvenience in the area. We are investigating various ways of achieving this including collaborative working and off peak working to include evenings, night time and weekends.  

“To avoid repeated disruption to the area, we have collaborated with West Northamptonshire Council and arranged for both companies to carry out works at the junction of Barton Road and Windmill Avenue at the same time. In addition, collaboration has taken place with Anglian Water to coordinate works at the same time at the Northampton Road, Sheep Street, Bowling Green Road intersection.

“We will also be keeping customers and business along the route informed by letter and by visits from our representatives,” added James.

The project forms part of WPD's commitment to provide a consistently high level of service to customers. Over £7billion is being invested by the company on its electricity network between 2015 and 2023.

Local residents are invited to contact O’Connor Utilities Site Manager Peter Dicesare if they have any queries on 07880 102237 or via the 24-hour emergency helpline on 0845 330 8615.