Lancaster unlooping trial

We're taking a proactive approach to remove houses from a 'looped service’, giving our customers involved with the scheme their own service cable to improve the overall electrical resilience and performance of the network and future proofing it. This ensures properties are better equipped for future energy demands for electric car chargers, solar panels or heat pumps.

Why the work is taking place?

We're proactively investing to 'de-loop' properties. The work is essential for upgrading the electricity network in the Lancaster area to make sure we, as the region's power network operator, deliver the expected growth in electricity demand to support the drive towards net-zero.

What will the work help support?

These works will help facilitate the installation of Low Carbon Technologies (LCTs) such as heat pumps, EV chargers for electric vehicle charging, smart meter installation and solar PV, working with our customers to make the move to a low carbon future. Low carbon homes produce, and often store their own energy, resulting in lower carbon emissions and lower bills. Homes that have already chosen to go low, are still able to keep warm, access hot water and power electrical items, but with a lower carbon footprint.

This work will also see the safe removal of old VIR (Vulcanised Indian Rubber) and pyro cables. The insulation of these old cables deteriorates over time and is no longer compliant with modern safety standards.

What will SP Electricity North West be doing?

We're completing the removal of what we class as a ‘looped service’, giving our customers involved with the scheme their own dedicated service cable. To install the new service cable from the mains to the meter, we'll advise our customers that we may need to a dig in their driveway or front garden. We will of course, reinstate this when the work is finished. Sometimes the work can be more complex if there are many looped services. Each job is bespoke, so letting us know about your requirements upfront helps us to plan and deliver the project more efficiently.

*Currently the service to ‘unloop’ our customers is free of charge but this could change in future*

The Lancaster unlooping trials saw 263 properties de-looped in total. The work was completed in August 2026.

Utilising cutting edge technology in Lancaster

Vacuum Excavation machinery (Vac-ex) was utilised on the Lancaster unlooping trial - the first time a Vac-ex has been used on an unlooping site, showing how it can be used to deliver unlooping.

We use this technology to safely expose electricity cables with minimal ground disturbance, making it the safest and most efficient way to work around live underground networks.

Process

Site Setup

Safety barriers, signage and traffic management put in place at the dig site in front of the terraced property. Service records and cable location technology is used to identify underground utilities.

Vacuum Excavation

High-pressure air breaks up soil.
Vacuum removes spoil.
Minimal ground disturbance.
Reduced risk of cable strikes.

Expose Electricity Cable

Cable safely revealed without mechanical digging.

Create Safe Access

Engineers can inspect and work around the exposed cable.

Reinstate

Excavation refilled and surface restored.

Why use Vac-Ex?

✓ Safer around live electricity cables

✓ Minimal excavation footprint

✓ Reduced disruption outside homes

✓ Faster than traditional hand digging

✓ Lower risk of damaging underground services

✓ Cleaner and more environmentally friendly

✓ This equipment reduces the time taken to dig, meaning a higher volume of properties unlooped in a shorter space of time.

✓ Because the equipment is a vacuum, it means there is no spoil, meaning sites remain clean, clear of rubble, reducing the risk of slips, trips and falls, whilst keeping the site clean and tidy.

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