UKPN walkabout update – 30.09.24

PRERA and Daniel from UKPN went on a walkabout last month to catchup on their progress and discuss snagging issues. 

UK Power Networks (UKPN) have been on our estate since Spring this year carrying out works to replace the mains electricity cables on the Palace Road Estate north of Palace Road; Bushell Close is unaffected.

Read our blog post from March for more information on the works.

At the date of the meeting:

  • The work is almost finished connecting Chalner, Despard, Ponton, Baly, and Ducavel Houses. 
  • UKPN trucks have damaged the grass areas in the middle of the estate and PRERA have requested reinstatement works to level out the ground as currently a trip hazard.
  • Hedge removal highlighted outside 130-139 Coburg Crescent.
  • New cable has been run from 129-120 Coburg Crescent. The new cable was still to be dug for the rest of Coburg Crescent.
  • Paving in pedestrian zones off Coburg Crescent to be reinstated to match existing paving bricks. Quality of reinstatement issues identified outside number 86-90.
  • UKPN are NOT doing works in service road on the estate. The letter from Lambeth stating bins should be put at the front of Coburg Crescent properties was sent without permission and incorrect. This has been raised with Nasreen from Lambeth and Rhys our Neighborhood Housing Officer.

Coburg Crescent Freehold Houses

  • The new cable along Coburg Crescent will then need to be connected to the houses along Coburg Crescent, via a cable dug into the ground under their driveways. UKPN needs permission from freeholders to do that. UKPN have promised to reinstate driveways. Then have come inside house to do the check. They will have UKPN badge.
  • Residents can say no to the above, but if the old/decommissioned cable fails it will not be repaired and the only way you will get electricity will be the above at a later date. This may leave you without electricity until UKPN can attend to dig a trench for the new cable to connect you. To be blunt its a question of when, not if.

UKPN Actions

  • x3 trenches to be filled in in the middle of the estate. Work is pending before filling them in.
  • Reinstatement works to level out the grounding the middle of the estate.
  • Hedgerow row to be replace outside 130-139 Coburg Crescent, where trench was dug and existing hedgerow removed. Hedgerow to match species and size and locationof hedgerow removed.
  • Paving in pedestrian zones off Coburg Crescent to be reinstated to match existing paving bricks. Fix reinstatement issues identified.
  • Broken planter behind Despard House to be repaired/replaced.
  • Missing bollards on estate service road to be replace. Multiple locations identified.

If you have any concerns about this work, please email Daniel Cotter at UK Power Networks:
daniel.cotter@ukpowernetworks.co.uk