Fire-hit electricity substation in Inverness to have further 'urgent repairs'
Urgent additional repairs are to be carried out at a substation where a recent fire knocked out power to thousands of homes and businesses.
More than 2800 properties in IV1 and IV2 postcodes around Inverness suffered a major power outage in mid September after a blaze hit the substation in the city's Waterloo Place.
Firefighters spent three hours tackling the blaze in the early hours of September 15.
The resulting blackout sparked the mass closure of a host of city centre businesses and facilities – with the likes of the Eastgate Centre, Inverness Justice Centre and Highland Council's service point in Castle Street just some of the infrastructure impacted.
Related: 17 postcodes affected by power outage in Inverness after fire at substation
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Related: 'Around 100' properties in Inverness still without power after substation fire
Some businesses in the city remained shuttered for most or all of the day as engineers worked to restore power supplies.
Now, more than two weeks after the incident, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks plans to carry out urgent repairs this week to bring the Waterloo Place sub-station fully back online – and ensure the continued power supply of around 1500 properties.
And Highland Council has warned motorists and pedestrians that roads in the vicinity will be affected by closures later today (Wednesday) and into Thursday.
"SSE require to carry out urgent repair works to enable service to be restored to their Waterloo, Inverness, electricity sub-station," said a spokesperson for Highland Council.
"In order to continue to maintain uninterrupted service to around 1500 properties, they require to carry out this work at the earliest opportunity.
"They met with Highland Council's roads [department] to agree a suitable way forward and discussions have also taken place with the public transport providers.
"At 6.30pm on Wednesday, October 4, a single lane closure (northbound) will be introduced on Chapel Street with traffic heading towards the Shore Street roundabout being affected until 7am on Thursday morning.
"At 6.30pm on Thursday, October 5, a single lane closure (southbound) will be introduced on Chapel Street with traffic travelling from the Shore Street roundabout being affected until 7am on Friday morning.
"Appropriate diversion signs will be in place during the works period."
