A project to improve the power supply in a Suffolk town is on schedule to end by Friday, although residents have continued to speak of their concerns about disruption while the work is taking place. 

Since the end of October, network operator UK Power Networks (UKPN) has been carrying out urgent upgrades to cables in Saxmundham High Street following a spate of power cuts, including earlier this week when 682 homes were affected. 

However, residents have taken to social media to complain about lost power, with one poster saying she could not use the kettle to feed her newborn baby during the most recent outage. 

Others reported that power had been lost to Beech Road, Warren Avenue and Holly Way among other areas. 

In October, the EADT reported concerns High Street traders could be affected at a time when businesses were still recovering from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as dealing with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. 

During the closure, traffic lights have been installed at the north end of the High Street to allow vehicles coming from St John’s Road and Street Farm Road to access the car park in Market Place so customers could continue to visit the shops. 

However, some posts on Facebook groups have highlighted the difficulties vehicles, especially lorries, have had in turning to avoid the High Street. 

Saxmundham town centre co-ordinator Jess Palmer said the town council’s primary concern was supporting businesses in the High Street, but productive meetings had been held with Aaron Collins, project manager with Compass Infrastructure, which has been carrying out the work for UKPN. 

She said he had been liaising with the council’s chair Di Eastman about how the project had been progressing and ensuring any concerns were addressed. 

A spokesperson for UKPN said: “Our teams are currently upgrading the electricity network on the High Street in Saxmundham. We are on schedule and have a permit in place to complete the work by November 25. 

“This work is installing new cables designed to safeguard against future power problems and ensure more reliable power supplies for the local community.  

“We apologise for any inconvenience while this essential work is taking place and will finish as soon as possible.”