Better Power for Holt and Broughton Gifford

9.25.00am GMT Wed 8th Dec 2004

Residents of Holt and Broughton Gifford have long been troubled with power cuts on their local overhead power lines. This month engineering works are taking place in several locations around the two villages to strengthen the insulation around the overhead cables and make them less vulnerable to power cuts. The work conducted by Scottish and Southern Energy, the local electricity distribution company amounts to an investment in the local network of £140,000 in these two villages.

Duncan Hames visiting the Melksham Electricity depot to investigate plans to improve the local electricity supply.

Local district councillor, Duncan Hames, visited the company at their Melksham sub-station last year to pass on complaints about the frequency of the power cuts and urge that action be taken to prevent them. The company had been hopeful that 2003 was a particularly unlucky year for electricity supply in the villages, but 2004 has proved no better. He returned later this year to discuss the plans for the work, which include taking some cabling near the Midlands industrial estate underground.

"This is excellent news - and about time. Local people have had an unacceptable service for too long. I'm delighted that the electricity company have prioritised this work and are making such a significant investment in the local network" says local Lib Dem councillor Duncan Hames.

"The local manager has told me that he is very confident that once this work is complete local residents will have a much more reliable electricity supply comparable with similar areas in the rest of the district."