Work is underway on a major project to boost power supplies for homes and businesses in and around Colchester.

The £687,000 investment by UK Power Networks, who distribute electricity across the East of England, will future-proof part of Colchester’s power supplies by increasing capacity.

The work will boost the reliability of power supplies for around 7,000 customers and focus on rebuilding the existing infrastructure between Abberton and Peldon.

UK Power Networks is reinforcing around 2.4km of overhead power lines with new electrical equipment including larger conductors to take a greater power load.

The work will also include the fitting of additional bird diverters on the northern section to help protect them due to the proximity of Abberton reservoir with power lines previously having had diverters to aid swans.

Ivan Churchman, project manager for UK Power Networks, said: “We closely monitor our equipment and run maintenance and replacement programmes to safeguard power supplies.

“This upgrade will significantly increase the power capacity we have for this area of Colchester with the added benefit of greater protection for local wildlife.

“This project is one of many multi-million pound schemes we are carrying out this year with support from our Capital Programme Delivery alliance partners to make sure we continue to provide resilient power supplies for the local communities we serve.”

The company safely and reliably delivers electricity to 18 million people through cables, substations and power lines and invests around £600 million each year in the network.

Throughout the work UK Power Networks will follow Public Health England advice to keep its employees, contractors and customers safe and its work will be carried out in line with the latest Covid-19 health and safety guidance. The network company is also asking customers not to approach its teams if they see them working unless it’s an electricity emergency – and, if they do, to maintain social distancing at all times.