This is a major £16 million infrastructure investment to reinforce the resilience of the 33,000-volt and 11,000-volt overhead lines, poles, and underground cables in Coniston and surrounding areas including Ambleside, Ulverston, Torver and Blawith. Work includes:
A new 11,000-volt circuit is to be installed between Coniston & Ambleside to provide additional interconnection in case of a power outage to the 33,000-volt supply.
Reinforce the existing 33,000-volt supply by undergrounding 10 kilometres of the 33,000-volt overhead line and rebuilding the remaining 10 kilometres. This runs between Ulverston and Coniston.
Undergrounding the 11,000-volt overhead line which runs across Blawith Fell to improve the visual amenity of the area as well as improving the resilience of the network.
It’s important this work is carried out now as the ageing infrastructure approaches the end of its working life, to reduce power cuts in Coniston and the surrounding areas, reinforcing the power network in the event of a storm.
In November 2021 amid Storm Arwen, supplies were lost to Coniston for a considerable period of time. The work we are progressing will increase the resilience of the supply to Coniston primary power network.
The project is being delivered by SP Electricity North West, with our trusted partners, Network Plus managing the excavation work.
There are no planned supply interuptions as part of this work and therefore supplies should not be impacted by this work.
We’re coordinating with Westmorland and Furness Council to maintain access and minimise disruption. Alternative routes will be clearly signposted where needed. All businesses will be open as usual.
We’re here to help. If you or someone you know needs extra support during the works, please contact us so we can provide tailored assistance. You can visit our Extra Care web pages for lots of help and information, and sign up to our Extra Care Register.
In some locations the road is too narrow to retain a live traffic lane alongside the excavation, plant, materials and safety zone. Deep excavations, rock, structures, buried services and the working width required to protect the public and workforce can also prevent safe passing. A closure will only be used where a safe practical alternative is not available.
Why can’t temporary traffic lights be used everywhere?
Temporary lights are included on sections where there is enough safe working width. They cannot be treated as a universal solution because conditions vary along the route.
Are partial closures, convoy working and rolling closures being considered?
Yes, two-way lights, temporary speed restrictions, convoy working and rolling road closures in appropriate sections will be utilised where feasible.
Extended hours and weekend working are being used or considered where feasible. Night or continuous working must also address residential noise, environmental restrictions, workforce safety, task constraints and practical productivity. It may help in particular locations, but it is not a blanket solution.
The disused railway route is under active investigation and has influenced the programme, including pausing Hawes Bank work while it is assessed. The work has included engineering review, surveys, ecology considerations, land rights work and contact with affected landowners. Initial investigations are positive and we continue to explore this as a viable option.
We are completing the work in phases, with the first phase outlined below:
• Rectory Lane, Torver – due to reopen 4 October • Bog Lane, Barngates – due to reopen 18 October • Road closure fro m Bog Lane to Knipe Fold, 19 October to 12 March
The A5084 will see significant work to move cables underground over the coming months with the first phase between Rectory Lane heading towards Sunny Bank:
• Temporary traffic lights from 7 October to 1 November • Road closure from 2 November to 6 December • Temporary traffic lights from 7 December to 24 January 2027
This will be followed by further work south of Sunny Bank in phases two and three.