News story

18th September 2001

Further Delays In Sorting Out Thornbury Power Problems

Northavon MP Steve Webb has been told by power company GPU that a programme of work to improve power supplies in the Thornbury area is seriously behind schedule and will not now be completed until next Summer. The MP received the information in reply to a complaint on behalf of another local resident who had suffered two power failures during August. In reply, the company said that although work on replacing protection equipment at the Alveston substation had been largely completed, plans for a new high voltage cable and for improvements to overhead lines had been delayed. The company said it had faced difficulties in getting “wayleave” permission to put the high voltage cable along its preferred route and was now having to investigate alternative routes. The restrictions arising from the foot and mouth outbreak had also seriously hampered the company in its activities locally.

Commenting, Steve Webb said:

“Whilst some of the reasons for delay, such as foot and mouth, are clearly outside GPU’s control, I remain concerned about how long this programme of improvement is taking. The implication of the company’s latest letter is that residents in many parts of Thornbury may face another year of disruption before the work is completed. GPU need to understand the problems that are caused by even brief interruptions to supply, and must ensure that the work is given a high priority - local people have suffered enough”.

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