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Puriton Ridge
Current construction activity
Date from | Date to | Activity |
October 2021 | Summer 2022 | |
May 2020 | Late 2022 | |
May 2020 | Late 2022 | |
2018 | Ongoing |
Overview – Autumn 2022
In April 2022, our contractor, Balfour Beatty, finished building 48 of the new T-pylons between Bridgwater and Loxton and installed the wires ready for energisation.
By using the innovative T-pylon design, the height of the new infrastructure is being reduced by a third. Standing at around 35 metres high – the T-pylon is third shorter than traditional 400,000 volt steel lattice pylons which stand at around 48 metres. It also has a smaller footprint and uses less land.
Reinstatement of the land between Bridgwater and Loxton is underway and will continue through to 2024.
To reduce the visual impact of the new pylons, National Grid is removing 67 kilometres of existing 132,000 volt lattice pylons and overhead wires, a total of 249 pylons will go from the Somerset landscape. 91 pylons have been removed between Bridgwater and Sandford – the eight pylons closest to Sandford substation are programmed for removal during 2023.
Thank you from everyone working on the project for your patience and understanding as we progress this vital work to connect six million homes and businesses to new sources of homegrown, low carbon energy.
Contact our community relations team to register for project updates direct to your inbox.
Puriton Ridge 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.