ELECTRICITY company Western Power Distribution has started work on a £650,000 project to refurbish a 65-year-old part of the network.

More than 300 ageing high and low voltage poles, and 15km of conductor on a part of the network that serves 1,750 customers in Ashbrittle and Appley, are being replaced as part of a two-year scheme.

WPD survey specialist James How, who is overseeing the project, said: “As part of a continuing programme of works, we had identified the poles and conductors that required replacement.

“We have been liaising with landowners throughout the work and the main benefit is that it will further secure the reliability of the network in the area.”