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1st May 2019

AINSCOUGH WORKS WITH WPD TO POWER UP BEER

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Ainscough Crane Hire has worked with electricity network operator Western Power Distribution (WPD) to replace a transformer on a busy road in the popular Devon village of Beer.

WPD carries our regular inspections and maintenance of its electricity network, and during a recent inspection in Beer it became apparent that a substation would need to be replaced.

Due to the restricted space in the compound and the condition of a retaining wall, WPD needed to excavate in front of the substation in order to temporally disconnect the high and low voltage cables.

With all the apparatus disconnected, WPD then needed to remove two items from the compound in order to build new plinths as well as a new retaining wall.

The heaviest item within the substation weighed approximately 3.5t, and as a result of the substation being located 40 metres along a footpath, it was decided to engage Ainscough’s Exeter depot to undertake the lift.

The lift posed some logistical challenges for Ainscough, as the Liebherr 150t crane had to be parked on Fore Street, the main road for coming in and out of Beer.

To counter this, WPD timed the work out of tourist season, and was also granted permission by the council to close Fore Street to allow the crane to be in situ.

Once Ainscough’s team removed the substation’s apparatus, WPD undertook the required civil engineering work before Ainscough lifted the new apparatus into place. WPD was then able to start re-connecting the new apparatus back to the electrical network.

While the operations took place WPD ensured that the low voltage overhead power lines were disconnected. Both lifts were carried out in late evening to further minimise the disruption to local residents, business owners and commuters.

Ryan Dobson, Ainscough’s Exeter depot manager said: “We were happy to be appointed by WPD to help ensure Beer’s electricity network continues to serve the needs of the village’s residents. We had to deliver the lift in a tight and enclosed space, but the forward planning of WPD and the skill of our team ensured the work was carried out successfully and with minimum disruption.”

Image copyright: Shove Media https://www.shove-media.com/

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