Press release from Calderdale Council and Northern Powergrid:
An upgraded electricity substation is being installed next to the market area in Hebden Bridge next week, as part of Northern Powergrid’s investment to boost the resilience of its network in the Upper Calder Valley.
During the Boxing Day 2015 floods, a number of substations were affected by the unprecedented water level, resulting in power cuts for many properties across the Calder Valley.
Calderdale Council and Northern Powergrid continue to work together to improve the flood resilience of the local power network. This includes installing upgraded equipment at new sites that are less vulnerable to flooding and consolidating substations into fewer, better-protected locations.
The latest upgraded substation will be installed in Hebden Bridge town centre. After assessing all the potential sites, and in consultation with Ward Councillors, the chosen location for the substation is in the Council-owned enclosed area next to Lees Yard in Hebden Bridge, near to where the market is held.
To make way for the new substation, it is necessary to remove two trees from the site. The decision to fell trees is never taken lightly, but it is essential in this case due to the suitability of the location to future-proof the power network and provide the best possible protection from flooding.
The trees will be removed on Monday 5 November 2018 (a non-market day) from 7.30am to minimise disruption. The work is estimated to take around half a day to complete. Northern Powergrid will plant replacement trees in an appropriate location at a later date.
Once the trees have been removed, Northern Powergrid will start work on the new substation building. It is anticipated that all work relating to the scheme will be completed by early to mid December.
Cllr Barry Collins, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Strategy, said:
“We continue to do everything we can to strengthen resilience across Calderdale’s communities and minimise the impact of any future flooding. This includes ensuring that local residents and businesses have a reliable electricity supply in extreme weather, so it’s important to locate substations away from areas that are more likely to flood.”
Richard Bowers, Northern Powergrid’s West Yorkshire Zone Manager, said:
“The work we’re doing in Hebden Bridge is part of a wider £1 million investment programme to make our network across the Calder Valley more secure, reliable and resilient. Local people will benefit by having an electricity supply that has increased protection from flooding and enables us to get the lights back on faster if there’s a power cut in the future.
“We’ve already completed much of the excavation work associated with moving our existing substation from Cheetham Street to this new location, but there may be some localised disruption while we complete the work. All footpaths and roads will be reinstated as quickly as possible. We’re committed to working closely with the local community and Calderdale Council to minimise disruption and will provide regular updates as to what’s happening where and when. We’ll also be directly contacting local businesses and residents who may be affected by the work.”
Almost three years since the unprecedented floods in Calderdale, and as winter approaches, the Council and its partners are reminding people of the importance of being prepared. Everyone can do their bit to help make their property, community and local area more resilient to flooding – for example, by moving their electricity services higher in their property, above the level of any potential flooding.
Visit www.eyeoncalderdale.com(external link) for information on preparing a flood plan, buying flood resilience products, volunteering opportunities and much more.