What is being done?
As part of National Grid’s programme of electricity network reinforcement across East Anglia, we need to reconductor (rewire) the existing 26km, 400,000 volt (400kV) overhead line between Bramford substation and Twinstead Tee, north-east of the village of Twinstead in the parish of Great Henny. This overhead line was built in the 1960s.
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Planning Application Information (Braintree)
Rights of Way and Road Closures
Why is there the need for the upgrade?
This work will help to improve the performance to increase the capacity of the East Anglia network. It will ensure safe and reliable electricity supplies for decades to come, securing our energy supplies for future generations.
When is the work being done?
Preliminary work
Before the main reconductoring can start, environmental surveys and preliminary work to prepare the main work area are carried out.
The environmental surveys were undertaken during 2011 and included looking at what we could do to help reduce the impact of our main reconductoring work on the environment. The preliminary work includes cutting back trees and hedges to allow safe access to our pylons and work areas when we start the main reconductoring.
Reconductoring the overhead line
From April 2012 we will start the main phase of work to reconductor the overhead line. This involves replacing the bundle of four wires that run between each of the pylon arms with a bundle of three wires. We anticipate that this work will take around six months to complete.
Although the number of wires is decreasing, the new wires will improve the performance to increase the capacity of the network in East Anglia and ensure that we continue to provide safe and reliable electricity supplies.
Land used will be reinstated in agreement with the landowner once the work is complete.
Most of our activity will be in fields - away from roads and properties. However, in some cases it will be necessary to close some roads, footpaths and bridleways for a short period. Where it is essential for roads and walkways to remain open then our contractors will put in place protective scaffolding and netting while the work is carried out.
Our commitment to you
When we carry out all our work, our main concerns are ensuring the safety of the public and minimising disruption to the local community. We will make every effort to ensure we carry out the work as quickly and efficiently as possible. All our work is carried out with the agreement of the relevant local authorities and landowners.
Contact us
If you have a question or enquiry related to the work you can also contact us by phone, email or post:
Call: 0800 377 7340
Email: info@communityrelations.co.uk
Write to: Freepost NATIONAL GRID CONNECTIONS
If you have a friend or relative with a disability, or are aware of anyone living in your community to whom this web site and our information leaflet would not be accessible, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will arrange for a National Grid representative to contact them in person.
Questions & Answers
Q. Is this work linked to the Bramford to Twinstead Tee Connection Project?
A. The reconductoring of this existing 400kV line forms part of our ongoing programme of network reinforcement work in East Anglia and is not linked to the Bramford to Twinstead Tee Connection Project.
Q. Will there be local power cuts during the proposed work?
A. This work will have no impact on your electricity supplies, as National Grid’s network operates at the highest voltages. UK Power Networks distributes electricity locally at lower voltages to homes, businesses, schools and other premises.
Q. Will the construction work mean additional traffic in the area?
A. To ensure that we minimise disruption to the community, we will provide clear signs and ensure vehicle movements are kept to a minimum.
As part of our induction programme for contractors and staff, we will emphasise the special care that they need to take when driving in this rural area.
Community Consideration leaflet
Q. What will be the impact on local roads and public rights of way?
A. Where possible, we will keep the roads open using scaffolding with safety netting in place to ensure the safety of road users. However, some local roads will need to be closed during our work. These closures will be undertaken with the agreement of the local authority and we will work closely with the local community to minimise the impact as much as possible.
Some public rights of way will also need to be closed. We will clearly mark closures and provide details of any temporary diversions.
Q. What steps do you take to protect the environment?
A. Before beginning any project, we carefully consider the potential environmental effects of our work.
On this project, we are liaising closely with the Environment Agency, Natural England, Essex Wildlife Trust, the RSPB and English Heritage, as well as a wide range of local environmental groups and landowners to ensure any potential impact on the environment or disruption to wildlife is avoided wherever possible.