Strengthening Knutsford's Electricity Network

Investing in Knutsford's energy future

SP Energy Networks is investing £2.5 million to strengthen and futureproof Knutsford's electricity network.

The project will increase network capacity and help ensure local homes, businesses and communities have the electricity infrastructure needed to meet future demand. As the way we live, work and travel evolves, electricity demand is expected to continue growing. This investment will help support that growth while maintaining a safe, reliable and resilient electricity supply for the local area.

Why is this investment needed?

Knutsford's electricity network plays a vital role in powering homes, businesses, schools, community facilities and essential services.

To prepare for future energy needs, we are:

• Installing approximately 2.5km of new electricity cabling
• Connecting a new electricity substation to the existing network
• Increasing network capacity
• Improving resilience and reliability
• Supporting future growth and investment in the area

Once complete, the project will help ensure the local network is equipped to support increasing electricity demand, including the transition to cleaner, greener technologies.

What to expect during the works

To allow the work to be carried out safely, temporary traffic management measures will be required at various stages of the project. We understand that this can cause inconvenience and we are committed to keeping disruption to a minimum.

Throughout the project:

• Access for residents will be maintained
• Access for businesses will be maintained
• Emergency service access will be maintained
• Deliveries and waste collections will continue as normal
• No interruptions to electricity supplies are expected

Our teams will continue to engage with local stakeholders and provide updates throughout the works programme.

What is required and how long will works go on for?

The project is expected to continue until 2027, with work progressing through three key stages across different locations.

As the works move through these stages, you may see our teams return to areas that have previously been worked in. This is a normal part of the construction process and helps ensure the new infrastructure is installed, tested and restored correctly.

Stage 1: Duct Installation
The main construction phase, involving excavation works to install underground ducts (protective pipes) for the new cables to run through. This stage typically involves the highest levels of construction activity, traffic management and noise.

Stage 2: Cable Installation
Once the ducts are in place, the new cables are pulled through and connected at specialist access points known as joint bays. Works are usually more localised during this stage, with less intrusive traffic and pedestrian management.

Stage 3: Reinstatement
For most work, the roads, footpaths and surrounding areas are reinstated and returned to their original condition at stages 1 and 2. On some well-used, strategic or recently resurfaced roads, highway authority requirements may mean that permanent reinstatement is carried out at a later date. For this project, we expect the reinstatement to be done during stages 1 and 2.

Investing Locally

We're pleased to be working with Warrington-based contractor Opus to deliver the first phase of the project, helping support local jobs, skills and expertise while investing in infrastructure that will benefit the area for years to come.

What’s Next?

Stay up to date

We will keep residents regularly informed as our work progresses, or if any of our plans change.

Contact our community relations team with any questions or queries:

Telephone: 0800 331 7119
Email: knutsfordreinforcement@spenenquiries.co.uk