Trees to make way for power substation

TWO TREES are to be removed from an area next to the market in Hebden Bridge town centre to make way for an electricity substation.

Northern Powergrid is installing the structure next week as part of its efforts to boost the resilience of its network in the Upper Calder Valley following the Boxing Day floods of 2015 where several substations were affected by the unprecedented water levels, resulting in widespread power cuts.

Across the borough, the utility firm is working with Calderdale Council to install upgraded equipment at new sites that are less vulnerable to flooding and consolidating substations into fewer, better-protected locations.

The council says two trees will need to be removed from Lees Yard, next to the market, on Monday to make way for the substation, which is being moved from its current location in nearby Cheetham Street. All work on the installation is due to finish in early-to-mid December.

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: “There may be some localised disruption while we complete the work.”