What are you doing in Liverpool?
National Grid is replacing one of the existing high-voltage cable circuits, which run between its Kirkby and Lister Drive substations. The new cable circuit will be 11km long and will be buried underground along its entire length.
Construction of the new Kirkby to Lister Drive cable began in August 2007, and will take approximately 32 months to complete.
Why are you doing this work?
Electricity for Liverpool and its suburbs is fed into the city via a network of high-voltage underground cables located beneath the street surface. One of these cable circuits, which were originally installed in the 1960s, is now nearing the end of its operational life and needs to be replaced. This project forms part of National Grid’s ongoing national maintenance programme and represents a major investment in the region’s power network.
This essential work will allow National Grid to ensure the security of electricity supplies and also meet the growing demand of Liverpool and the surrounding area.
Does Liverpool need more power?
A safe, secure and reliable power supply is vital for the continued development and growth of the City of Liverpool and the Merseyside region - and it is National Grid’s job to ensure that it has all the power it requires, every second of every day. In order to meet this demand, both today and into the future, the national grid system must be kept in first class working order.
The new Kirkby to Lister Drive cable will replace the existing cable equipment, which was originally installed in the1960s and is now nearing the end of its operational life. The new cable circuit will further reinforce the system and allow National Grid to ensure a safe and reliable electricity supply for the region.
What does the Kirkby to Lister Drive cable project involve?
The project involves the installation of a new 275,000 volt cable between National Grid’s existing substation sites at Kirkby and Lister Drive. The new cable will replace an existing circuit, which was installed in the 1960’s and is now nearing the end of its operational life.
The new cable will be installed in a trench approximately 1.5m deep by 1.3m wide. The majority of the cable will be installed in the carriageway of the roads, which make up the route.
The cable will be installed in sections of approximately 700m in length and each section will be joined to the next at an installation called a ‘joint bay.’ Excavation, construction and re-instatement of the 15 sections will be carried out on a rolling basis in order to minimise disruption and maximise efficiency.
Once the cable is laid into the trench it is covered with a protective concrete slab. The trench is then backfilled and the carriageway reinstated.
We’ve had our fair share of roadworks and disruption. Will this be the last work you do?
As part of the terms of its operating licence, National Grid has a statutory obligation to make sure its transmission system is capable of delivering electricity safely, reliably and efficiently for UK consumers. One of the two 275kV cables, which run between Kirkby and Lister Drive substations, was replaced in 1999/2000. Therefore, once the works to replace the second circuit are completed in 2010, we should not need to undertake any major works on this equipment for many years to come.
How did you decide the route of the new cable?
In towns and cities across the country, services and utilities are delivered to homes and businesses via a network of underground pipes and cables. In developing a route, one of the major considerations is the location of existing services underneath the roads, verges and pavements in order to make sure there is enough space to allow the cable to be installed.
In addition, we carry out extensive surveys of the proposed routes, test ground conditions and conduct environmental impact assessments.
Working closely with the local authority, the police and emergency services, other utilities and service providers, a number of possible routes were developed. Consideration was given to the practicality of the potential options and the likely impact of the works on local communities, road users and the environment.
Who has given you permission for it?
Like all utility companies, National Grid is permitted by law to carry out work in the highways under the New Roads and Streetworks Act (NRSWA). We have worked closely with the local authorities and emergency services to develop the route.
Why don’t you follow the same route as the existing cable?
The existing cable was installed in the 1960s and is now nearing the end of its operational life. To maintain the security of the city’s power supplies it will need to remain in service until the new cable has been installed and is ready to go into operation. Therefore a new route for the replacement cable was required.
Do you need planning permission?
As the cable will be buried in a trench along the whole of its length, planning permission is not required.
Will you be constructing new substations?
No. The new cable will replace the existing cable circuit, which is nearing the end of its operational life. Minor works will be required within the existing substations at Kirkby and Lister Drive to connect the cable to the national grid system.
Who has been consulted on the new cable route?
We were obliged to develop the route in close conjunction with statutory partners for example the local authority, the police and emergency services, other utilities and service providers. Community consultation is not required when carrying out essential work such as this.
Impact on the local community is a very serious factor for us, and we consider local needs when developing a route and planning the works. We have taken several steps to keep residents informed of the works, and are working hard to get the work completed in a timely manner.
These works form an essential part of the maintenance programme we are currently undertaking. We realise road works may be unpopular, but they are necessary, in this case, in order to ensure a safe and reliable supply of electricity to the city of Liverpool.
The cable goes all the way along our road. It will cause enormous disruption. What will you do to alleviate our problems?
When undertaking major projects, ensuring the safety of the public and minimising disruption to local communities along the route of the cable is of utmost importance to National Grid and the Electricity Alliance. Great care has been taken in planning the route and to keep any disturbance to an absolute minimum.
Unfortunately, due to the nature of the works, there will be some temporary disruption to local residents and businesses along the route. As we will be mainly working in the road, temporary lane closures will be required. We have developed a detailed traffic management plan in conjunction with the local authority highways department to help minimise the impact of the work and ensure the safety of local residents and other road users.
We will do everything possible to minimise inconvenience during these essential works. We are committed to keeping local communities informed about the project and anyone requiring further information should contact our Community Relations Team on freephone 0800 085 1326.
What is the cable made of?
The new cable is a state-of-the art cross-laminated polyethylene (XLPE) design. XLPE cables do not contain an oil cooling system and therefore require very low levels of maintenance once installed.
Do you compensate residents for the disruption caused by road closures?
Utilities are not required to pay compensation for the general inconvenience caused to motorists by roadworks and diversions. This is because the work they carry out on cables and pipes in the highway is seen as essential in protecting the security of supply of electricity, gas and water to homes and businesses.
If our ongoing cable replacement works are causing inconvenience to local residents and businesses, we sincerely apologise for this. We hope people will have patience with our essential work as the short-term disruption will bring a long-term benefit in the shape of safe and reliable electricity supplies for hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses across Liverpool. Whilst we apologise for any inconvenience, as stressed above, we are unable to pay compensation for traffic delays
Will there be lots of HGV’s and other works vehicles on local roads?
As we will be mainly working in the road, temporary lane closures will be required. In conjunction with the local authority highways department, we have developed a detailed traffic management plan to help minimise the impact of the work and ensure the safety of local residents and other road users. Clear signs and traffic signals will be erected wherever necessary and traffic flow will be closely managed and monitored in line with the project traffic management plan.
Site traffic will adhere to strict guidelines when conducting work on and around the site. We will take all possible steps to ensure that site traffic causes minimal disruption to residents and local road users.
How much disruption will be caused to road users – will there be cones and barriers in place?
As we will be mainly working in the road, temporary lane closures will be required. In conjunction with the local authority highways department, we have developed a detailed traffic management plan to help minimise the impact of the work and ensure the safety of local residents and other road users.
Where lanes need to be temporarily closed, clear signs and traffic signals will be erected and traffic flow will be carefully managed and monitored in line with the project traffic management plan. Where necessary, we will take steps to advise the public of changes to traffic management plans.
Will I / my customers still be able to get into my house / business premises?
Wherever possible, we will ensure access to commercial and residential properties will be maintained at all times and temporary facilities will be provided to maintain access for pedestrians, cyclists and motor vehicles along roads during the construction works.
How noisy will the works be?
Unfortunately, some of the work we need to carry out will generate some noise, but we will do everything we can to ensure any disturbance is kept to a minimum.
Due to the temporary and transient nature of the work, combined with National Grid’s high standards of environmental responsibility and careful approach to construction and reinstatement, will help to ensure minimal impact on residents.
Will there be mud all over the roads?
If at any time there is dirt on the roads, contracted road sweepers will clean it up as soon as possible. All staff and contractors adhere to strict working guidelines to ensure little or no mud is left on roads.
Will you leave everything as you found it when the project is finished?
Throughout our works it is certainly our intention to fully re-instate the highway to its previous condition. This also applies to the re-seeding and re-planting of any parts of the central reservation which we disturb.
Sometimes, however, we believe the main priority is to open affected carriageways as soon as possible to restore traffic flow. In this case, it may be that we carry out a temporary repair to the highway surface and return at a later date to finish the re-instatement. Liverpool City Council will not allow substandard re-instatements.
Why will work take until 2010 to complete – can’t it be done any quicker?
The Kirkby to Lister Drive cable project is a major engineering scheme. Having to negotiate a route across busy city roads, which already contain a large amount of installed services, presents a significant challenge.
The emphasis placed safety of the public, our staff and contractors, throughout the course of the construction programme, is of the highest priority to National Grid and the Electricity Alliance, and we will do everything we can to complete this project safely and as quickly as possible
Although construction will continue until 2010, the temporary and transient nature of the work combined with National Grid’s high standards of environmental responsibility and careful approach to construction and reinstatement, will help to reduce the impact of the works.
Who is installing the cable?
The work is being carried out on behalf of National Grid by the Electricity Alliance – West. The Electricity Alliance is a partnership between National Grid and 15 construction companies, formed to deliver a major investment programme to update and develop the high-voltage transmission network in order to maintain safe, secure and reliable electricity supplies across England and Wales. In this region, National Grid’s Alliance partner is Amec.
What are your working hours?
We will be working between the hours of 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday. It may be necessary to work during weekends, however, this will be agreed with the local authority.
How do people get in touch to ask questions or raise concerns?
When undertaking major projects, ensuring the safety of the public and minimising disruption to local communities along the route of the cable is of utmost importance to National Grid and the Electricity Alliance. We have written to residents and communities along the route explaining the project and what activities they can expect to see and when. A dedicated project information helpline has been set up and anyone who requires further information about the scheme or would like to raise any issues or concerns they might have can contact us directly on freephone 0800 085 1326.
Will this project cause damage to the environment?
Before beginning any project we carry out a comprehensive environmental impact assessment of the areas that may be affected by the works. We consult closely with the Environment Agency and Natural England as well as a wide range of local environmental groups and landowners in order to ensure any potential impact on the environment or disturbance to wildlife is avoided where possible.
When we do have to work in sensitive areas, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) we ensure methods of working are developed in conjunction with the relevant authorities in order that any disturbance is kept to an absolute minimum.
Will you have to close the East Lancs Road and the M57?
No. We do have to cross the East Lancs Road and the M57 but we will be directional drilling beneath the carriageway and therefore do not require the temporary closure of either of these major routes.
What do you say to residents who are concerned about this high-voltage power cable being installed close to their homes?
Anyone with any questions or concerns about EMFs and high-voltage equipment should contact the National Grid EMF Helpline on 0845 702 3270 or email: emfhelpline@uk.ngrid.com.
How deep is the cable buried in the road?
The cable will be buried at an average depth of 1.5 metres below the ground surface.
Could other utilities working in the road accidentally dig it up and damage it?
When installed the cable will be buried along its entire length at an average depth of 1.5m. To further reduce the risk of third party damage to the cable a pre-cast concrete slab will be laid above the cable.