Coniston investment
We're delivering the largest ever investment in the North West’s power network, investing over £1bn between 2023 and 2028 – including £16m to reinforce the power network in Coniston and surrounding areas.
We're committed to maintaining and improving the power network through our network investment programme
SP Electricity North West is delivering a £16 million investment along a 39km route.
The project will strengthen and modernise the ageing electricity network by improving reliability, increasing resilience to severe weather and supporting future demand, reducing the frequency and duration of power cuts.
Phase one work
We are completing the work in phases, with the first phase outlined below:
• Road closure, Rectory Lane, Torver
• Road closure, Bog Lane, Barngates
• Road closure from Bog Lane to Hawkshead Hill via Knipe Fold
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
• 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.
We always aim to carry out our work as planned and with as little disruption as possible. However, the dates we publish for road works can sometimes change. This is because a number of factors outside our control can affect when it is safe or practical for our teams to work, such as weather conditions, ground conditions and emergency repairs.
We understand there’s never a good time for this kind of work and we recognise that this work will be disruptive. We are committed to working with the local community. In response to engagement with the local community we're:
- Bringing in additional teams to work in different locations at the same time and extending working, including weekends where possible, reducing the project duration
- Investigating the feasibility of using the full disused railway line to reduce our work in the highway. Land rights, consent work and engineering surveys are currently ongoing
- Working closely with Westmorland & Furness Council on traffic management and access arrangements
- Providing additional support to businesses and to promote that Coniston remains open in partnership with Cumbria Tourism
- Supporting the community by increasing the frequency of home deliveries made by the local pharmacy from Hawkshead to Coniston
- Improving signage to provide clearer diversions and promote that businesses, and Coniston, are open as usual.
Feedback form
Contact us
Coniston frequently asked questions
Customer letter September 2026
A customer letter providing an update on upcoming traffic management dates.
Press release July 2026
Coniston power upgrade gets underway as Tim Farron MP visits £16m investment project
Press release May 2026
£16m investment confirmed to strengthen Coniston’s electricity network
Route map
This map shows the route of the planned work commencing June 2026.
Briefing pack
We’re investing to upgrade Coniston’s power supply. Strengthening reliability for homes, businesses and visitors.
Extra Care register
Find out more about the Extra Care register benefits and how we can provide extra support to you.
Amid Storm Arwen, supplies were lost to Coniston for a considerable period of time. The work we are progressing will protect the network during future weather events.
What the work involves:
- A new 11,000-volt circuit installed between Coniston & Ambleside to provide additional interconnection in case of a power outage to the 33,000-volt supply.
- Replacing 10 kilometres of 33,000-volt overhead line between Ulverston and Coniston and moving it underground, making the network more resilient.
- A further 10 kilometres of 33,000-volt overhead line and poles replaced and refurbished between Ulverston and Coniston with modern materials.
- Removing the 11,000-volt overhead line and poles which run across Blawith Fell and moving it underground to improve the visual impact of the stunning scenery as well as improving the resilience of the network.
This once in a generation investment means we can carry out essential improvements now to protect supplies and reduce the risk of power interruptions for local residents, businesses and visitors for decades to come.
Our focus continues to be on delivering this essential investment quickly and safely while keeping the impact to communities, businesses and visitors as low as possible.
