Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has announced that a £1 million programme of underground cabling improvement works in Hampshire is now underway.

The programme of works will boost the resilience of Houghton's power supplies; reducing the likelihood of power cuts and increasing network capacity to allow for more connections in the future.

This investment in the local infrastructure will help keep power flowing during storms and adverse weather events, and will provide a network fit for the future as more customers adopt low carbon technologies, such as electric vehicles, heat pumps and solar panels.


Running until the end of May, SSEN's engineers will work along a route from the substation at Faithful Drove through Houghton Road, then onto the A30 High Street into Longstock Road; replacing existing underground cables with more modern, efficient and sustainable equivalents.

Speaking ahead of the project, SSEN Distribution's Project Manager Richard Kingston, said: "We're grateful to customers and road-users for their patience and understanding as we go about these essential works and appreciate that delays can be frustrating, so we're doing all we can to complete the work as safely and as quickly as possible.

"To further minimise any disruption, we will be working in 250-metre sections; laying the new cable and reinstating the ground before moving on to the next section of road."

Richard continued: "To ensure the safety of road users, pedestrians and engineers, works will be carried out using rolling road closures with access for residents and businesses maintained at all times."

While there are no planned supply interruptions for the duration of the works, SSEN would like to remind its customers of its Priority Services Register, which can assist them in the event of a power cut.