MAJOR electricity works expected to last until late April are ahead of schedue, Northern Powergrid says.
The firm is working to connect the Scotch Corner Designer Outlet off the A1 at Richmond to the main electricty network, forcing the closure of nearby roads until the spring.
Cables are also being laid to support the installation of ten new electric vehicle charging points at Scotch Corner Services.
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Northern Powergrid said today (March 1) that it will complete the first section of its ongoing road closure along the A6108 between Barracks Bank (near Scotch Corner) and Scurragh Lane, Skeeby ahead of schedule.
This means the final section of the closure from Scurragh Lane, through Skeeby village to Skeeby substation on Darlington Road will now be in place from Monday March 14, several days earlier than anticipated, until April 21.
The road from Barracks Bank to Skeeby substation will remain closed to through traffic until April 21, with motorists directed to follow a signposted diversion along the A6055/A6136.
There will be 24/7 traffic marshalls to ensure there is around the clock access to Skeeby village for residents, authorised visitors and emergency vehicles.
There will be some temporary changes to local bus services while work takes place in Skeeby village.
From March 13 until April 23, Arriva’s X26 and X27 services will not serve Skeeby village, the A6108 Darlington Road from Skeeby to Gilling Road, Catterick village/Marne Barracks and Hipswell village.
To ensure that public transport users are able to access Richmond and link into other local bus services, Northern Powergrid is funding a shuttle bus which will serve those areas impacted.
The company is writing to everyone affected with further details about the temporary transport services in place.
Arriva’s X26 and X27 services will continue to serve Darlington, Barton, Scotch Corner, Catterick and Richmond, but there are changes to the usual route and timetable.
The A6108 from Barracks Bank to Skeeby substation will fully reopen on April 22 and Northern Powergrid plans to complete its final sections of work by mid-May which may require the use of two-way traffic lights at times.
A spokeswoman for Northern Powergrid said: “We’re doing all we can to lessen the impact of our work in and around Skeeby, wherever we can, and funding alternative transport provision for local residents is an important part of this.
“We’ve made significant changes to our programme to help minimise its impact on the community.
"Combined with bringing in additional resource, this has enabled us to reduce the amount of time Skeeby village will be closed from our initial estimate of 14 weeks to less than six.
"We’ve also rescheduled our work along Darlington Road in Richmond, with a view to completing as much of this as possible during the February half term and Easter holidays to reduce the impact on local schools.
“Please be reassured that we will continue to be mindful of the impact this scheme is having on the local community as we work and we thank everyone for their ongoing patience while we safely carry out this essential work as swiftly as possible.”
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