A MULTI-MILLION pound electricity investment has been unveiled across Hampshire.

Southampton, Romsey, Winchester and the New Forest have all benefitted from an £8 million injection into new equipment and technology from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN).

New underground cables, resilient poles and overhead equipment have been installed across the county and is set to finish in spring next year.

The new facilities have come as the company tries to combat both the number of houses affected and the length of time, of power cuts through extreme weather.

In Southampton, a £1 million boost has seen three-and-a-half miles of underground cables being laid at six locations across the city, and work set to conclude for Christmas on December 15.

St Mary’s and Maybush are some of the areas that have benefitted, with work in the city set to finish in March 2018.

Jo Niven, SSEN head of customer operations said: “Even after all these investments, as we have seen the world over, extreme weather can still have an impact on electricity supplies due to the damage heavy snow, lightning and wind debris can cause.

“To ensure we are prepared for whatever extremities the winter has in store, we have invested £8 million installing the latest technology and carrying out essential maintenance and upgrade work.”

Southampton city councillor for Bevois, cllr Stephen Barnes-Andrews, said the work in his ward was ‘welcome investment’.

He said: “We have to keep investing in the infrastructure if we want the city to continue growing.

“I think it keeps up with demand for the city as more and more homes and businesses are built.”

The work taking place in Romsey is due to finish in the ‘next few weeks’, and benefits 2,600 homes including those in Viney Avenue, Westferry and Abbotswood.

Town residents praised the upgrades, saying it was ‘good to see new investment’.

Chantelle Melling, 47, who lives on Viney Avenue, said: “I have never thought of power cuts as a problem, but it’s always good to see new investment.

“I haven’t noticed the work even taking place, but hopefully it stops any problems in the future.”

Laura Thomas, 33, who also lives on the road, added: “It can only be good news, but I think it would be better to see money coming into the town that benefitted the roads and other areas.”