THE Vale and the Cotswolds is set to benefit from a £8million investment to improve power supplies in East Worcestershire.

Western Power Distribution (WPD), the electricity distributor for the Midlands region, is investing the cash on its network to improve supply reliability and customer service levels.

The new initiative involves upgrading equipment in major substations at Evesham and Feckenham, near Redditch, and laying 21km of 66,000 volt cable between them.

This means supply to about 91,000 customers in the Stratford, Shipston, Moreton, Long Marston, Evesham, Pershore and Strensham areas should be more reliable.

WPD’s investment is also designed to support any increased demands on the power network in the future.

Mick Dunne, WPD’s project manager for the area, said: “It ensures that we can provide a high level of service to these areas in the long term by improving the infrastructure and security of our electricity network.”

The project is due to start on Saturday, August 3 and is expected to be completed by December.

“While this work is being undertaken, our aim is to keep any disruption to an absolute minimum,” said Mr Dunne.

“We have been speaking with Worcester and Warwickshire Council and the Highways Agency to agree on a cable route which creates the least disruption for traffic flow in the area.

“Our intention is also to work on major junctions during off peak times and to keep customers who live along the route informed by letter.

“We have also been speaking with local bus companies about our plans.”

Representatives from WPD and their contractors JSM construction will be available to discuss the works in further detail between 4pm and 8pm on Friday, July 26 in Cookhill Village Hall, near Inkberrow.