A multimillion-pound investment project to enhance and improve reliability on Barrow’s power network is now underway.

Electricity North West started work in the town this week with the £4m project benefiting more than 4,800 homes and businesses.

Teams of engineers will work to replace 28km of underground electricity cables across five separate circuits.

The power network operator identified the project as part of its proactive investment programme given the age of the cables and the need to improve reliability on certain sections of the network.

Vincent Cranny, Electricity North West’s head of capital programme delivery, said: “As the North West’s power network operator, we want to provide excellent value for money and the best possible service for the region.

“We regularly review network plans to identify sections that need upgrading before power cuts happen and regular repair work is needed.

“The piece of work we are going to be carrying out is extensive but will without a doubt improve reliability for thousands of properties throughout Barrow and Dalton.”

Engineers commenced work yesterday in the Abbey Road area. Teams will initially lay underground ducts to house the cables before returning later in the year to pull the cable into place and connect them to the network.

In what is a major project, work is expected to last 18 months and the power network operator has communicated to customers where work will start initially.

Updates will be provided throughout the project and the local council has been involved in the planning of the project.

“As always with projects of this scale, traffic management will be required and we’ll do our utmost to keep disruption to a minimum,” added Vincent.

“Our significant investment will ensure that once work is complete, a safe and reliable supply of electricity will be maintained to thousands of properties in Barrow and Dalton for many years to come.”