Northern Power Grid report will verbally update members on the plans for Phase 2 of essential works in the Bradford District

Work begins in July/August 2020 and runs until the end of 2020, directly impacting Heaton, Manningham, Toller and City Wards.

                                                                        (Sue Ferguson – 07780572252)

Delegates from Northern Powergrid (NPG) attended the meeting to verbally update the committee on current and future essential work. 

With the invitation of the Chair, the delegates gave a joint explanation of the anticipating essential works on the second phase of its £30 million investment to improve the reliability and resilience of the electricity network serving Bradford between now and the end of 2022. Phase 2 investment work would focus on replacing five of the major circuits that supplied electricity to approximately two thirds of Bradford’s homes and businesses and would involve excavating in the roads, footpaths or grass verges so that new cables could be laid. This was to ensure that the local electricity network was capable of meeting the existing demand for power as well as any future increase in demand as the population grew and more households exchanging their vehicles f electric ones.

The first phase of the work that had begun in October 2019 was was ongoing and was scheduled to run until winter 2020. It focused on upgrading two major underground electricity circuits that ran between NPG’s Bradford West substation in Wilsden and its Girlington substation near Four Lane Ends with more modern and sustainable alternatives.

The second phase of work, was intended to replace three electricity circuits that ran between Bradford West substation and a substation on Canal Road near the city centre, was scheduled to start in July 2020. However, to reduce disruption, the first section of this phase of work, which involved a road closure, had been brought forward in agreement with Bradford Council so that it could be started while schools were still closed and traffic was light on the back of COVID-19 restrictions.

From 6am on Monday 4 May to 5pm on Friday 12 June, Lane Side (B6144) in Wilsden would be closed from the junction with Old Allen Road to the roundabout at the junction of Lane Side/Main Street/Low Wood/Wilsden Road. Although the road would be closed to general traffic, Northern Powergrid would provide 24-hour vehicle and pedestrian access for residents and businesses, making provision for deliveries and emergency access throughout.  A signposted diversion will be in place for all other traffic, running from the B6144 through Wilsden Village, along Harden Lane, Wilsden Road and Long Lane (B6429), then through Cullingworth to the junction with the B6144.

Following the verbal synopsis, a question and answer session ensued:

·         In regards to the first phase of works with the necessary road closures and traffic diversion, what had been the feedback from the public?

o   Despite the large scale of works due to the overall size of the project, only one complaint had been received. It was assumed that the low level of complaints was due to the amount of effective information being given to the public. In response to general enquiries and requests, a few amendments had been undertaken in order to reduce the level of disruption. In addition, works was being temporary terminated on specific holidays. This had been received on a positive note by the public;

·         Councillors often received complaints regarding roads that had been dug up and left without essential repairs. Could assurances be given to good repairs?

o   There was a guarantee period and contractors would return to check as anything that may occur was likely to go wrong quickly. It's not something that happened but occurred down the line. There were some issues on Bell Deane Road, where it was typical temporary reinstatement, that's going to be replaced soon;

·         In terms adopted streets and some adopted roads, would it be possible for contractors to tarmac some of the holes that might be causing issues for residents?

o   If names of streets were supplied then contractors could take a look and see what they will do; and,

·         What response action is undertaken with callers who request NPG contractors to visit?

o   So every single person that asked that question will get a phone call and receive a personal visit. So we do follow up on every single call, and we collate all of that information. We've also got we've got some specific web pages on target website will continue to provide updates to those as well. So we'll be doing all the same things we've done on phase one.

The Chair closed the discussion by highlighting the need for the flow of communication remaining healthy with Councillors for their respective wards as it was paramount that ward members being updated of all development so that they were able to convey the information to their constituents.

During closure, the Chair thanked the delegates for their time to attend the committee so that an insight to the current and future works.

No resolution was passed on this item.