SP Energy Networks’ Electricity Expansion Impacts St Andrews Traffic

SP Energy Networks has invested £20 million in an upgrade of the electricity system and network around the St Andrews area. A substation for this planned network extension is being established in Guardbridge, with two underground cables being built towards Cupar to connect it to a larger grid network. The project is expected to continue until the end of 2025.

SP Energy Networks is investing a total of £85 million in the Fife area to further expand the electricity networks, a project expected to run until 2028. SP Energy Networks’ official website highlights that “the project will ensure local people and communities continue to benefit from a modern, resilient and reliable electricity network.”

SP Energy Networks quoted Project Manager Archie Ferguson, who said that the project “will deliver enough additional capacity to support 1,800 new [electric vehicle] charging points and 1,200 heat pumps across St Andrews and the surrounding towns and villages.” Ferguson emphasised how the new extension will complement renewable wind and solar energy projects in the area.

SP Energy Networks’ website further emphasised their work with Fife Council to ensure a smooth construction process whilst causing minimal disruption to traffic. However, it appears that several roads in Cupar and around Guardbridge will continue to experience delays and interruptions due to the construction. 

Ferguson said: “We appreciate there will be some disruption and inconvenience while these works are underway, and we’re doing everything we can to keep that to a minimum. This includes choosing the least impactful route for our works, reducing the need for full road closures where possible and minimising the impact on traffic movement during the major events the area is renowned for.”

Third-year student Emilia Lamb, a frequent commuter from Edinburgh to St Andrews, said that the construction has severely impacted her transport in and out of St Andrews. Lamb described how the traffic impacts her travel “especially towards Guardbridge on the way to Leuchars station — it's pretty terrible with up to twenty-minute delays on the bus times.”

While discussing the impact the traffic has had on Lamb’s daily routine, she explained: “Alongside my studies I also work part time, and it’s difficult getting to class or work shifts on time with the current delays.” Lamb explained that there have been instances where she has had to take earlier trains from Edinburgh to make up for the delays on bus routes from Leuchars to St Andrews. 

When asked if she has received any information regarding why there has been traffic, Lamb said: “Stagecoach doesn’t really give you any communication, and I haven’t seen anything from the University about it, especially when they are aware that so many students commute from Dundee because of the living crisis.”

Despite traffic concerns, it is apparent that there is excitement in Fife regarding the electricity upgrades, as the project is intended to improve overall access to electricity, especially given an expected 30 per cent increase in the demand for electricity in St Andrews and the surrounding Fife area over the course of the next ten years via the shift towards greener energy. 

According to Project Manager Ferguson, the “investment will be a real game-changer for the region, ensuring that people and businesses can embrace a cleaner and greener way of life with open arms.”

Image from WikiCommons