Travellers using Bristol Airport will face potential delays as National Grid Electricity Distribution undertakes a crucial upgrade of the electricity network in the area. The project involves replacing aging underground high voltage cables along a one-kilometre stretch of the A38 at the Downside Road junction. These cables, dating back to the 1950s, have experienced deterioration, leading to frequent faults.
The work, initially started in autumn and scheduled for completion by Christmas, had to be suspended in December due to a fault at a Portishead substation. It is set to resume from Monday, January 22, with a planned finish by Friday, February 2. To manage traffic during the project, a contraflow system will be in place, along with signage on adjacent roads to guide local access.
National Grid’s area team manager, Lewis Smith, acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the delay in completing the cable laying work and the potential disruptions for A38 and Bristol Airport users. He emphasized the importance of the £300,000 project in upgrading the local network for improved power reliability and to meet the increased electricity demand in the coming years.