SP Energy Networks is investing £1.5 million to strengthen the electricity network serving Barmouth. This work will help ensure the network can continue to support local homes, businesses and essential services.
As part of this investment, we need to install new electricity ducts beneath several roads in the town. This will allow new cables to be installed and will strengthen the local network so it is ready to meet Barmouth’s future electricity needs.
We recently hosted a series of community events at the Oasis Community Centre, where we shared information about the work and listened to questions and concerns from the local community. We recognise the concerns raised about access, parking, local businesses and travel through the town. These concerns have helped shape our traffic management plans and will continue to inform how we deliver the work.
What to expect
The most significant stage of the work will take place on King Edward Street, between St Tudwal’s Church and the Royal Pub, from 16 November to 2 December. During this period, through access along this section of King Edward Street will be closed and a signed diversion will be in place via Trawsfynydd.
We appreciate that this is a considerable diversion and understand the inconvenience it will cause. However, because of the width of the road and the nature of the excavation work, it would not be safe to maintain traffic access while the work is taking place. The route via Trawsfynydd has been agreed because it is the only suitable route capable of accommodating the volume and type of traffic that normally uses King Edward Street, including HGVs and other large vehicles.
We are currently working with the council to discuss temporary parking arrangements during the King Edward Street closure. We are also liaising with the emergency services to agree appropriate arrangements for the closure period.
Roads affected
We will also be working on a number of other roads in the area, as outlined below. These locations will be managed using a combination of localised road closures and temporary traffic arrangements, with access to homes and businesses maintained wherever possible. The dates are indicative and may change depending on progress, weather conditions and operational requirements. Standard working hours will be 7am to 5pm, up to seven days a week.
| Road | Traffic measures | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beach Road | Localised road closures and temporary traffic lights | 16 October | 18 October |
| Marine Parade | Localised road closures and temporary traffic lights | 19 October | 20 November |
| Park Road | Localised road closures and temporary traffic lights | 19 October | 20 November |
| King Edward Street | Full road closure and diversion via Trawsfynydd | 16 November | 2 December |
| Mynach Road | Localised road closures and temporary traffic lights | 30 November | 18 December |
An update on school transport
We have been working closely with stakeholders in Barmouth, including local schools, the college, Gwynedd Council, education transport planning officers and Lloyds Coaches, to help minimise disruption during the upcoming works.
SP Energy Networks has agreed to support the funding of additional bus services to ensure students can continue to access their schools and college. These services will also be available to help residents and visitors travel around the diversion route more easily.
Further details, including timetables and bus stop locations, will be published shortly on our website.
We are committed to helping Barmouth remain open for business while these essential works take place and would encourage residents and visitors to continue supporting local shops, businesses and attractions throughout the project.
Our commitment to the community
We will be writing to residents in the coming days to explain the upcoming work, and a copy of the letter is attached to this email.
Live updates, diversion routes and frequently asked questions will be available on our website:
www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/
A dedicated stakeholder engagement team will be on hand to respond to community queries.
Throughout the work, we will keep traffic management arrangements under review, provide regular project updates and respond promptly to concerns raised by residents and businesses.
We’re here to help
For more information, you can contact our team by emailing barmouthreinforcement@
We would be grateful if you could share this information with residents and other local stakeholders who may be affected. We understand that the work will cause disruption and appreciate the community’s patience while we complete these essential improvements to Barmouth’s electricity network.
Kind regards
SP Energy Networks Barmouth Reinforcement Project
Stakeholder Engagement Team
