First of two new 90-tonne transformers being delivered to Bury St Edmunds
28 July 2010
EDF Energy Networks is investing £4.25million in the electricity distribution network in Bury St Edmunds.
New electrical equipment is due to be installed at a substation in the Raingate Street area to ensure the continued resilience and reliability of power supplies and cater for future demand. The project is part of the energy company’s annual £459million investment to maintain and upgrade the electricity networks in the East of England, South East and London.
Two 90-tonne transformers (pieces of equipment which step down high voltage electricity from the network so that it can be delivered to homes and businesses) will be delivered separately to the substation by lorry.
In order for the lorries to manoeuvre into the substation site, it will be necessary to close Bakers Lane and Raingate Street to traffic from 6pm on Tuesday, August 3, to 4pm on Friday, August 6, and from 6pm on Tuesday, August 10, to 4pm on Thursday, August 12.
Any vehicles left parked in Bakers Lane and Raingate Street will be removed by Suffolk Police so that the deliveries can be made safely.
EDF Energy Networks is contacting customers in the area to request that they park overnight in Shire Hall car park, or Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club which will be made available for 24-hour free parking for residents affected by this project. Access will remain at all times for cyclists and pedestrians.
We have been working closely with the county council, the police and our contractors to plan this essential work and every effort will be made to keep disruption to a minimum.
Road improvements will also be carried out by Suffolk County Council during these closures.
ENDS
For further information, contact Tracey Sparling in the EDF Energy press office on 08701 962504.
Notes to editors:
EDF Energy is one of the UK’s largest energy companies, producing around a fifth of the nation’s electricity from its nuclear, coal and gas power stations, as well as combined heat and power plants and wind farms. The company provides power to a quarter of the UK’s population via its electricity distribution networks and supplies gas and electricity to more than 5.5 million business and residential customers. It is the number one supplier of electricity to major business in the UK.
EDF Energy’s safe and secure operation of its eight existing nuclear power stations at sites across the country makes it the UK’s largest generator of low carbon electricity. EDF Energy is also leading the UK’s nuclear renaissance and has published plans to build four new nuclear reactors, subject to the right investment framework. These new plants would generate enough low carbon electricity for about 40% of Britain’s homes. They would make an important contribution to the UK’s future needs for clean, secure and affordable energy. The project is already creating business and job opportunities for British companies and workers.
Through Our Climate and Social Commitments EDF Energy has launched the biggest environmental and social programme of any UK energy company. EDF is the official energy utilities partner and sustainability partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The company is also helping its customers and others use energy more sustainably through products and initiatives such as Read, Reduce, Reward and Team Green Britain.
EDF Energy is part of EDF Group, one of Europe’s largest power companies. Following the integration with British Energy in 2009, the company employs nearly 20,000 people at locations across the UK.