A NEW £2million electrical substation is now up and running just over a year after a large explosion partially demolished the original building.EDF Energy and the company's contractors carried out the equivalent of 16-months work in about 10 months to complete the major project at Witham.

A NEW £2million electrical substation is now up and running just over a year after a large explosion partially demolished the original building.

EDF Energy and the company's contractors carried out the equivalent of 16-months work in about 10 months to complete the major project at Witham.

A new 115-metre square brick building has been installed to house the modern 11,000-volt switchgear and hi-tech electronic protection devices that help deliver power to homes and businesses in the area.

New remote control equipment has also been fitted at the site so engineers can remotely monitor and manage the substation.

The new kit will help EDF Energy to restore power quicker if a fault occurs, allow staff to monitor the equipment remotely to check it is functioning correctly and generally deliver a more reliable power supply to customers.

The new equipment and building were installed following the explosion at the previous substation in Cut Throat Lane in October last year. Thousands of people were left without power after the blast, which caused the roof to cave in and destroyed a wall.

More than 10 local contractors worked with EDF Energy to bring the major project to fruition.

The power company's director, Barry Hatton, said: “This new £2m substation will ensure a reliable power supply for residents and businesses in Witham for years to come. We would like to thank the local community for their patience and support whilst this work has been underway.

“The company is also likely to be announcing a donation to a local community project shortly in recognition of the support and understanding we have received from residents and businesses while this work has been carried out.”

EDF Energy will be carrying out some remedial work to Cut Throat Lane in the next few weeks in advance of the improvement work being carried out by Braintree District Council in 2006.