UNSIGHTLY electricity wires are to be put underground in one of Suffolk's largest villages to improve the environment.

UNSIGHTLY electricity wires are to be put underground in one of Suffolk's largest villages to improve the environment.

Villagers and their MP John Gummer have been working hard for the past year to persuade EDF Energy Networks to carry out the �100,000 project - and are thrilled the company has agreed.

The firm will be putting overhead wires below ground in Trimley St Mary and ridding the village of its old-fashioned electricity poles.

Parish councillor Graham Harding said: “We are really pleased that the company has agreed to do the work.

“It will make such an improvement to the environment, making the street scene look cleaner and much nicer - 100 per cent better.

“It will also be safer, too, and we will not have to worry about wires being blown down in a power cut.”

Mr Harding said Suffolk Coastal MP Mr Gummer had been a great supporter of the scheme.

Mr Gummer, who as secretary of state brought in legislation to encourage the utility services to underground cables, said: “I am very pleased indeed - it will make a huge difference to Trimley St Mary.

“These cables are so ugly and the improvement to the environment will be overwhelming.”

A spokeswoman for EDF said the project would improve the long-term reliability of electricity supplies for customers in Trimley St Mary.

It was part of a �400m investment in the electricity network this year to improve performance and meet future needs for power.

“This project will involve the removal of several stretches of overhead lines and poles in the areas of Station Road and High Road, which cover a distance of about 700m,” said the spokeswoman.

“This equipment will be replaced with new underground cables which will help ensure a more reliable power supply.”

An exact date has yet to be scheduled for the work, but the aim is to start in the next few months.

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