Giant changes route

8:56am Saturday 3rd May 2008

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Twickenham residents are celebrating after an energy giant agreed to reroute its 30,000 volt cables to avoid borough homes.

French-owned EDF Energy Networks, which is updating 7.2km (4.25miles) of cabling between substations in Ham, Twickenham and Kingston, said it had replanned its route to go under Riverside, the Embankment, Wharf Lane, Heath Road, Lion Road, Edwin Road and Warwick Road, after pressure from residents, Twickenham MP Vincent Cable and the council. It was originally planned to go through Lebanon Park.

Dr Cable, who wrote to EDF boss Vincent de Rivaz after complaints from constituents and about repeated blackouts to homes in the borough earlier this year, praised EDF for responding quickly.

He said: "Residents' anxiety has been defused with this agreement.

"EDF also responded, albeit belatedly, to complaints by residents, and me, about intermittent supplies."

"Some of the other utilities should perhaps learn to do the same".

Janette Marshall, 50, of Lebanon Park, said she was pleased residents' concerns have been acknowledged.

"We are also very pleased that lines of communication are now open," she said.

"The indications are positive so far and if they deliver what they say they are going to it will be a positive outcome for all concerned."

Councillors David Trigg, borough cabinet member for traffic, transport and parking, and Denise Carr, cabinet member for adult services, health and housing, met EDF bosses on Friday, April 25, to discuss the situation.

EDF said the project would last about nine months, taking in streets which had fewer homes in them.