Western Power works
Year Three: 6th January – 27th March 2020
An essential project which started early 2018, will see Western Power Distribution (WPD) and Kier upgrade the electrical system in Falmouth town centre. Effective partnership, efficiency of service and communication between the Falmouth Town Team and WPD will mean that the works will finish two years ahead of schedule, finishing in 2020 instead of 2022.
Businesses will be aware from the frequent power outages that have occurred in recent years, that the current 70-year old system is insufficient and so Western Power Distribution have made the decision to undertake one of their largest in-town capital projects to ensure Falmouth’s network is robust.
The Falmouth Town Team has put together some FAQs to help you:
Who is managing the project?
The project is being overseen by Western Power Distribution and Kier.
How long will it take?
The project will be completed over a three year time-frame due to effective partnership working as highlighted above. The 2020 works are running from January 6th to March 27th.
Where will it take place?
The works will see the entire electrical cabling system being replaced in sections, from Market Street, through Church and Arwenack Streets, to Grove Place.
The 2020 works (the third year of the project) will see the reinstatement of the cobbles in Church Street, as well as connecting properties to the new electrical cable in that area.
During the works, restricted traffic flow procedures will be in place with a two-way traffic lights system in place from the start of Market St to the start of Church St. This enables Church Street Car Park to remain in operation during the works.
What time will the works be taking place?
Western Power Distribution have advised that the works will take place mainly during daylight hours seven days a week although please note this is subject to change. As mentioned, the 2020 programme of works will commence on January 6th and run until the 27th of March 2020. Western Power Distribution have stated that the 2020 phase of works, like 2019’s, will not run into Easter.
What about my commercial waste collections and deliveries?
An extensive list of trade suppliers, commercial waste collection businesses and couriers have been contacted by Western Power Distribution and Kier but the advice is to get in touch with your regular suppliers, contacts, partners and customers to also update them accordingly, both of the works and the timings. Furthermore, businesses who feel they may be affected by the works are encouraged to liaise with Paul Horrell, Project Liaison Officer at Kier via: paul.horrell@kier.co.uk or 07896 279134. Paul and the Kier team have been around and visited many of the affected area businesses already and letters have been distributed to all businesses and residents in the affected part of town.
The current advice is to ensure ALL your deliveries and collections are undertaken as early as possible AND before 11am when the usual Highways regulation along Church Street is enforced. Do note deliveries may take longer than usual to reach your premises. The works will mean that there is NO access into this area (Market, Church and Arwenack Streets) after this time.
Who do I contact if I have a query or concern?
As mentioned, the Paul Horrell from project sub-contractor Kier is the Project Liaison Officer. Numerous meetings, drop-in sessions, door-to-door and letter-drops have taken place but if you have any questions or queries do contact Paul with any queries or questions on paul.horrell@kier.co.uk or 07896 279134.
How are the Falmouth Town Team (Town Management/Falmouth BID in partnership) supporting?
The Town Team are working extensively behind the scenes to support:
- Co-ordinating regular meetings and drop-in sessions so that Western Power Distribution can present to and liaise with businesses and residents.
- Ensuring that there are face-to-face and online points of contact for businesses and residents
- Working with Western Power Distribution and Falmouth businesses on an extensive range of supportive schemes such as free car parking days, radio and social media campaigns and more
Free Car parking in Cornwall Council operated car parks
FREE CAR PARKING – on every Saturday during the works – will be taking place. This starts on Saturday 11th January and runs until Saturday 21st March. This will be in every Cornwall Council-managed car park in the town – The Quarry, The Moor, New Street, Grove Place, The Dell and Church Street Car Park. This is ONLY happening due to Falmouth BID and Falmouth Town Council working together to fund.
Further support
Pirate FM – an extensive promotional campaign supporting Falmouth and its businesses has been secured for the duration of the works. Over 250, 30-second Falmouth features will run four times daily
Social media – a social media campaign will provide further support and run extensively across all town platforms
Further marketing and comms – information and details will be circulated to our residents with details of the electrical works, listing the variety of supportive measures and pushing the ‘support your community’/’shop local’ messages.
