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.
Current and upcoming work
• Road closure, Rectory Lane, Torver - Due to reopen 27 November 2026
• Road closure, Bog Lane, Barngates - Due to reopen 27 November 2026
• Road closure from Drunken Duck pub to Knipe Fold from 19 October 2026 - 21 March 2027
A5084
Work on the A5084 has been concentrated in the winter months from November 2026 to March 2027, outside of the main visitor season.
- Temporary traffic lights from 7 October to 22 November 2026
- Road closure from the junction of Rectory Lane, progressing south towards Emlin Hall / Lakeland Garage from Monday 23rd November – Thursday 17th December 2026
- Road reinstated and open over the Christmas period from Thursday 17 December - Sunday 3 January 2027
- Road closure progressing south from Emlin Hall / Lakeland Garage towards Sunny Bank from Monday 4 January - Sunday 7 February 2027
- Full closure Blawith Common from Monday 8 February to Thursday 25 March.
A5084 diversion
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.
Changes to our work following review
Following the programme review, we have changed how this project will be delivered to reduce the overall impact on Coniston and the surrounding areas.
More work off the highway
Moving a significant amount of cable installation from the road into third-party land.
20 weeks of closures removed
Removing 20 weeks, around five months, of full road closures from the programme.
Disruption moved to winter
Scheduling the majority of the most disruptive work, including key road closures, outside the main visitor season.
Longer working periods
Increasing delivery to seven-day working and up to 16-hour days where safe and practical.
One main route at a time
We will only work on one of the A5084, A593 or B5285 at any one time, keeping the other two clear of project activity.
What this means in practice
There will still be significant disruption. Full closures and diversions remain necessary, particularly on the A5084 during the winter months.
We know road works can be frustrating and add significant time onto your journey. We appreciate your understanding and patience while we carry out this once in a generation upgrade to Coniston's power network. We're committed to working with our communities to support and reduce disruption wherever possible.
We're investing to double weekly pharmacy home deliveries from Hawkshead to Coniston, engaging with event organisers to ensure that events run ahead as close to normal, working with our partners Cumbria Tourism to deliver 'Destination Coniston': a project to promote Coniston as a tourist destination that is very much open for business and support for local businesses. We continue to explore other ways we can support the local community.
Our next community drop-in
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Coniston frequently asked questions
Coniston update following programme review
Following the programme review, we have changed how the work will be delivered to reduce the overall impact on Coniston and the surrounding areas.
Press release October 2026
£16m Coniston power project plans to be reviewed
Overview map - Ambleside to Coniston
This map shows the route of the planned work between Ambleside and Coniston.
Overview map - Coniston to Blawith
This map shows the route of the planned work between Coniston and Blawith
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
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.
