A significant upgrade to the electricity supply network serving Musgrove Park Hospital is set to commence in early August, bringing months of traffic disruptions to Taunton. National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) will begin installing more than 700 metres of underground cabling along College Way starting Monday, August 4. The project is expected to continue until Friday, November 28.
To manage the work safely, rolling road closures will be implemented along College Way, with only one section closed at any given time to maintain access for local residents. However, motorists should anticipate vehicle restrictions and detours, particularly near Pitts Close—an area serving a GP surgery, a school, and various local businesses.
The power network upgrade will also impact parts of Galmington Road, where multi-way traffic signals will regulate vehicle flow near the College Way junction. Additional work zones include footpaths around Galmington Park, as well as Hoveland Lane and Hoveland Crescent.
READ MORE: New Housing Development Approved for Growing Somerset Village
READ MORE: Construction of Wellington Station Spine Road Delayed Until Christmas
Lewis Smith, NGED’s Head of Operations for Somerset, emphasized the importance of the project: “This essential work will upgrade the electricity network supporting Musgrove Park Hospital, ensuring a more reliable and secure power supply for years to come. We appreciate the inconvenience caused and will strive to keep disruption to a minimum.”
Steven Power, Head of Acute Capital Delivery at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, explained the benefits: “The upgrade will provide the hospital with two dedicated power supplies directly from National Grid, replacing the current high-voltage supply routed through the nearby residential area. This not only enhances electrical capacity to support future developments and decarbonisation initiatives but also improves resilience by decoupling the hospital’s power from the local community supply.”
Residents are invited to a drop-in session at Comeytrowe Community Centre on Monday, July 22, from 6pm to 8pm. This event offers an opportunity to learn more about the project and ask questions.