PART of a major Bradford road will completely close for more than a week - from this weekend - as part of a £30 million electricity network project.

Taking place between now and the end of 2022, Northern Powergrid's work focuses on replacing five of the major circuits that supply electricity to approximately two thirds of Bradford’s homes and businesses.  

The first phase of the work started in October and is scheduled to run until winter 2020.

It's to upgrade two major underground electricity circuits that run between Northern Powergrid’s Bradford West substation in Thornton and its Girlington substation with more modern and sustainable alternatives.

The work involves excavating in the road, footpath or grass verge so new cables can be laid.

As part of this programme, there will be a total road closure between 969 Thornton Road, close to the junction with Oaks Lane, to the junction with Vine Terrace West, near Crossley Hall School, from 6am on Saturday, February 15, to 6am on Monday, February 24.

Emergency vehicle access and pedestrian access along this section of Thornton Road will be maintained at all times.  A signposted diversion will be in place along Rhodesway and Allerton Road.

During the road closure, Keighley Bus Company 67 service and First Bus 607 and 615 services will divert via Rhodesway and Allerton Road in both directions.

Steve McDonald, Northern Powergrid’s General Manager for the West Yorkshire Region, said: “We’re doing everything we can to get the message out there about this planned temporary road closure so we can help local residents plan their journeys in advance and consider alternative routes to reduce the impact on their day-to-day life.

“Doing work over the half-term period will dramatically reduce the disruption, but we do appreciate that it will still impact people, so we thank you in advance for bearing with us while we complete this important investment to improve the electricity network that powers everyday life for you and your local community.

 “If you’re directly on the routes we’re working on we’ll write to you before we start work, and we’re keeping the wider community up to speed with what we’re doing through local and social media.  We’ve also created a new page on our website – northernpowergrid/Bradford - which is dedicated to providing updates about the investment work.

“As well that this, we’re currently developing a programme of support initiatives to provide a lasting legacy in the areas where we’re working and we’ll be announcing more about this in the coming weeks.”