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Puriton Ridge area
Current construction activity
Date from | Date to | Activity |
October 2021 | Summer 2022 | |
May 2020 | Late 2022 | |
May 2020 | Late 2022 | |
2018 | Ongoing |
Overview – Winter 2022
Our contractor, Balfour Beatty, has started to hang the wires (conductors) on the world’s first T-pylons, which will help carry low-carbon energy from Hinkley Point C and other sources to 6 million homes and businesses in the UK.
The team has begun hanging the wires on the new T-pylons between Bridgwater and Sandford. Starting at the new T-pylon north of Woolavington, the wiring will progress in sequence along the new connection route.
We expect to finish building the new T-pylons and the wiring work south of Sandford substation by spring 2022.
National Grid has started to remove 37 kilometres of existing 132,000 volt pylons owned by Western Power Distribution (WPD) between Bridgwater and Sandford. We’re carrying out the work in stages and expect to complete removing this line of pylons by summer 2022 – leaving part of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) pylon-free for the first time since the 1960s.
This work is part of the changes we’re making to WPD’s network, which will see 67 kilometres of existing overhead line and 249 pylons removed by 2025 to make way for and reduce the visual impact of the new T-pylons.
We recognise that our construction activity impacts local communities and work with our contractors to limit that as much as possible.
Contact our community relations team to register for project updates direct to your inbox.
Projects timeline
Early 2020 to late 2022
Build new 400,000 volt overhead line
What we're doing:
Building a new overhead line from the existing Hinkley to Melksham overhead line, which is north of Woolavington, northwards to a new cable sealing end (CSE) compound just south of the Mendip Hills. See Mendip Hills for further information about the CSE compound.
Building temporary entrances and access roads to allow construction traffic to enter site from the local highway. You can find more information on our construction information page.
In this area, contractors will use the temporary construction compound built north of Tarnock.
We will use T-pylons in this area, with the exception of where the overhead line connects to the existing overhead line.
Mid 2021 to mid 2022
Remove the existing 132,000 volt overhead line
What we're doing:
Removing Western Power Distribution’s existing overhead line from Bridgwater substation to the A368 in Sandford. This will make way for, and minimise the visual impact of the new overhead line.
Mid 2022 to mid 2024
Upgrade Hinkley to Bridgwater overhead line
What we're doing:
We are upgrading the wires on the existing pylons.
Late 2022 to late 2024
Build new 400,000 volt overhead line
What we're doing:
Building a new overhead line between the existing Hinkley to Bridgwater overhead line on Horsey Level and the existing Hinkley to Melksham overhead line which is north of Woolavington.
Building temporary entrances and access roads to allow construction traffic to enter site from the local highway. You can find more information on our construction information page.
In this area, contractors will use the temporary construction compound built north of Tarnock.
We will use T-pylons in this area, with the exception of where the overhead line connects to existing overhead lines. When complete, this will become the new Shurton to Melksham overhead line.
Early 2023 to mid 2024
Modify Bridgwater substation
What we're doing:
Installing new electrical equipment, which is required as part of the upgrading of the existing Hinkley to Bridgwater overhead line.
This work is being carried out within the existing substation boundary and does not require planning permission.
Mid 2023 to mid 2024
Build Bridgwater Tee underground cable
This is the point at which the new overhead line connects to the existing Hinkley to Bridgwater overhead line on Horsey Level.
What we're doing:
Building a temporary construction compound, and entrance and access road to allow construction traffic to enter site from the A39 Bath Road. You can find more information on our construction information page.
Connecting the new overhead line to the existing Hinkley to Bridgwater overhead line on Horsey Level.
Removing a small section of the existing Hinkley to Bridgwater overhead line and replacing it with an underground cable. This will enable the overhead line to pass overhead.
Building two cable sealing end (CSE) compounds (approximately 34m by 30m) at either end of the underground cable to connect it to the existing overhead line.