Work to upgrade overhead cables

Overhead lines are being replaced across the South East

Work to refurbish the overhead electricity network across the South East is getting under way.

EDF Energy said it was replacing 106 miles (171km) of low-voltage overhead lines at a cost of £3.8m in 2008.

Initial work will focus on areas more vulnerable to overhead line faults, such as heavily wooded areas, spokesman Barry Hatton said.

Work is starting in Kent on 7 January to refurbish more than 17 miles (28km) of existing lines around Folkestone.

The five-week project in Stanford will increase the resilience of 11,000 volt lines to bad weather, at a cost of £1.4m, Mr Hatton said.

The director of EDF's capital programme added: "We will be doing all we can to keep any disruption to a minimum."