09/06/2017 - Permalink

£285,000 boost for Shrewsbury’s power network

Related topics: Highways, transport and environmental maintenance / Partner organisations

News from our partners, Western Power Distribution

Western Power Distribution (WPD), the electricity distributor for the region, is investing £285,000 to improve power supplies throughout Shrewsbury town centre.

The work involves replacing transformers, switchgear and associated cables in one of the town’s main substations – which is situated in the basement of the Market Hall.

Kevin Hare, WPD technician, said:

“The works are necessary because the equipment is at the end of its life cycle and load growth means we need to be able to supply more power to the town centre.

“The location of the substation means there are significant challenges involved. We have to remove and replace all of the equipment within the substation including three transformers, which weigh four tonnes each.

“Our investigations also uncovered a considerable amount of asbestos that will need to be removed and disposed of safely.

“As this will be a major excavation within the town centre, we have also been liaising with BT and Severn Trent so they can carry out work at the same time.

“There has been a lot of planning to minimise disruption to residents and businesses, and we have tried to ensure local events such as the Flower Show, the Folk Festival and the Steam Rally are unaffected.”

Gary Parton, Shropshire Council’s traffic manager, said:

“We’ve worked closely with WPD and other stakeholders to ensure that any disruption to residents, businesses and visitors is minimised while this essential work is carried out.

“The timing of the work has been agreed to take into account major events and also future public realm improvements.”

Work will start on Monday 26 June 2017 and will continue for 16 weeks until early November 2017. Part of Shoplatch will be closed from Sunday 13 August 2017 to Thursday 17 August 2017, and Saturday 2 September 2017 to Friday 8 September 2017 when cranes are used to remove and replace the transformers.

WPD has been liaising with the Shropshire Council as highways authority, Shrewsbury Town Council, Shrewsbury BID, the Market Hall, and carrying out letter drops to affected residents and businesses. 

Further information

  • Western Power Distribution (WPD) is the distribution network operator for the Midlands, the South West, and South Wales, and is responsible for delivering electricity to approximately 7.8 million customers in the UK.
  • WPD is not an electricity supply company and does not bill customers in the UK. Its responsibility is to distribute electricity from the point of generation to homes and businesses.
  • For further information please contact WPD’s press office on 01332 827172.