Mendip Hills

In March 2023, 8.5 kilometres of new 400,000 volt underground cable, under the National Landscape of the Mendip Hills, was energised along with the section of new T-pylons between Bridgwater and Loxton, becoming part of the UK electricity transmission network.

This is part of the Hinkley Connection Project, a significant investment in the region’s electricity network. The project aims to connect new sources of low-carbon energy to homes and businesses to the new Hinkley Point C power station in Somerset.

We are pleased to have been able to construct this section of the Hinkley Connection Project underneath this very special landscape, which was in response to community feedback received during our consultation. By doing so, we are leaving this part of the Mendip Hills free of pylons for the first time in almost 100 years.

We are now working to remove temporary roads, construction accesses, and work areas that were used during construction.

Mendip Hills Timeline

Completed Mid 2022

Removal of existing 132,000-volt overhead line
Work included:
- Removing the existing overhead line from Bridgwater Substation to the A368 in Sandford. This made way for, and minimised the visual impact of, the new overhead line.

Completed Early 2024

Build Mendip Hills 400,000-volt underground cable
Work included:
- Advancing landscaping and planting around the location of the new cable sealing end (CSE) compound.
- Building temporary entrances and access roads to allow construction traffic to enter the site from the local highway. You can find more information on our construction information page.
- Installing a temporary site office and temporary construction compound north of Tarnock, and up to four secondary temporary construction compounds along the route to minimise traffic movements on site. One of these secondary compounds is located immediately south of the new CSE compound.
- Constructing a new CSE compound east of the M5 motorway to the south of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the River Axe.
- Laying 8.5 km of 400,000-volt underground cables from the CSE compound south of the Mendip Hills AONB northwards to the new Sandford substation.

Completed Early 2025

River Axe access bridge removal
Work included:
- Removing a 40-metre, 90-tonne bridge over the River Axe near Loxton, as part of the Hinkley Connection Project reinstatement works.

2025 to Late 2026

Work taking place:

Reinstatement works to restore access to public footpaths and rights of way. To facilitate the above works, roadworks and traffic management may be in place. Reinstatement is due to complete in late 2026.

Thank you

Thank you from everyone working on the project for your patience and understanding as we work to toward completion. This project will play a key role in helping the UK meet its net zero ambitions by transmitting cleaner, homegrown, energy around the UK – enough to power six million homes and businesses.

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