MORE than 10,000 homes in a Dorset town are set to benefit from a near £2million investment in electricity infrastructure.

A series of works by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) designed to boost the electricity infrastructure in Sherborne is to receive further investment that will enable more flexibility than an original scheme proposed.

In July of this year, the distribution operator began the project to increase the capacity and strength of power supplies to around 10,350 homes and businesses in the town.

Intended to run until September 2023, the works will now run until December with an increased investment totalling £1.9 million, after the potential to further develop the existing network was discussed and agreed with local authorities and stakeholders.

Ongoing work has been focused on upgrading the Sherborne Primary Substation and will now turn to replacing existing 11kV circuit breakers.

Aaron Reed, SSEN’s project manager for the Sherborne upgrade, said: “While extending investment and works on an already ongoing project can be quite unusual, Sherborne’s network will benefit greatly by furthering these works to include existing cable replacement.

“By listening and adapting our plans to suit the needs of those living, working and learning in Sherborne, we have aligned with the local authority and the nearby school to ensure minimum inconvenience and noise.”

Measures are in place to reduce potential noise disruption and any temporary traffic restrictions will be authorised by the local authority.