A £150,000 project is set to get under way in Saddleworth to move a number of ageing overhead power lines underground.

It will mean the removal of four poles in the area.

Electricity North West, which operates the region’s power network, will carry out the work in Uppermill around Church Road and Gellfield Lane from Monday, October 14 for around four weeks.

The firm is replacing the overhead power lines, which have been in place since the 1960s, with new underground power cables. The upgrade will maintain supply to almost 1,000 homes and will increase resilience during storms and bad weather.

Tony Broome, operations manager at Electricity North West, said: “The overhead power lines have been in place for 56 years and are coming to the end of their operational life.

“It’s our job to make sure that everyone in the North West constantly receive a reliable power supply and that’s why we’re investing £150,000 installing 750 metres of new underground power cables.

“The project is expected to take around four weeks and as always, we’ll be look to keep disruption to a minimum. I want to thank the people of Saddleworth in advance for their co-operation and understanding while we are in the area.”

To allow engineers to safely carry out work in the road to lay the new underground cables Gellfield Lane will be closed for seven days from Monday, October 14.

From Monday, October 21 temporary two-way traffic lights will be in operation on Church Road for one week, and then the road will be closed the following week, during the school holidays.

Access for residents and businesses along the route will be maintained at all times.

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