On 12th October 2023, UK Power Networks and contractor Kier attended Stapleford Parish Council’s monthly meeting to address residents’ concerns about extensive cabling works in the area and a storage compound located immediately adjacent to properties on Haverhill Road. Their presentation is available at UKPN presentation to SPC, 12 Oct 23.
Around 20 members of the public attended plus several others who were able to view the meeting via a live feed with a link provided through the community Facebook group.
UKPN commenced with an apology for a lack of liaison and communication. They were pressed hard by residents and Cllr Brian Milnes as to why the scheme had not been advertised in advance of working starting, why the community was not included in any liaison, and inaccurate and misleading road signage at the junction of A1301/Bury Road. Letters advising of the works were delivered to selected properties in the village several days after work had started, with a follow-up letter only arriving on 11th Oct. Mr Waters admitted to human error. UKPN has investigated where the initial error occurred and, upon questioning by Cllr Milnes, admitted that project plans were missing.
When pressed on the location of the compound, Mr Waters advised that it should not have been positioned where it was, but it could not now be moved. Access to the compound has been repositioned at the end furthest from property on Haverhill Road.
UK Power Networks was not aware that work on the Rangeford site would commence at the same time because Rangeford had not needed to submit any road permit application.
Mr Waters promised a full investigation and that lessons would be learned from this situation. The project so far had fallen far short of UKPN’s and Kier’s high standards. There was a further commitment to provide ongoing information with monthly meetings to be held at the Pavilion or possibly via attendance at monthly Parish Council meetings for residents had an ongoing opportunity to raise concerns and ask questions.
In due course we will supply a link to a section of UKPN’s website specifically set up for the Haverhill Road project.
