Tickenham to Portishead
National Grid is continuing to work on the northern section of the Hinkley Connection route. This route runs between Sandford and Seabank substations, passing west of Nailsea and east of Tickenham village.
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.
Upcoming construction works
- Restoring land: The removal of 15 lattice pylons and construction of two T-pylons within Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve has provided visitors with a clearer, more expansive view of the landscape. We continue to work closely with North Somerset Council and the Reserve Warden to carefully restore the land and support local wildlife.
- Current work includes removing temporary roads, access points, and work areas used during construction.
As we continue construction works in this area, you might see more construction traffic on local roads. We will keep you informed about any required traffic management updates in advance.
Tickenham to Portishead Timeline
Completed mid 2021
Undergrounding the 132,000-volt overhead line between Nailsea and Portishead Substation.
Work included:
- Building temporary entrances and access roads to allow construction traffic to enter site from the local highway.
- Building temporary construction compounds.
- Building a 132,000-volt underground cable between Nailsea and Portishead Substation.
- Building a new CSE pylon to connect the existing overhead line at Nailsea to the new underground cables.
This new underground cable section has been built as a direct result of feedback received during our consultation. It enabled us to completely remove the existing 132,000-volt overhead line that ran adjacent to neighbouring properties.
Completed Mid 2024
Building of the new 400,000-volt overhead line
Work included:
- Building a new 400,000-volt overhead line from Sandford Substation to Seabank Substation (approximately 31.2km).
- Constructing new T Pylons along this section of the overhead line route.
In this area, to minimise disruption, we shared temporary construction compounds, and temporary entrances and access roads built for other elements of the build.
Removing the existing 132,000-volt overhead line
Work included:
- Removing approximately 9 km of existing overhead line between Nailsea and Portishead substation that currently runs very close to people’s properties. We are removing this as a direct result of feedback received during our consultation.
- Removing overhead line from the A368 in Sandford to Avonmouth, which will make way for, and minimise the visual impact of the new connection.
Modifying Portishead Substation and the overhead line to the east of the substation
Work included:
- Making changes to the inside of Portishead Substation to enable the connection of the new 132,000 volt underground cable from Nailsea.
- Building a temporary construction compound to the east of the substation.
- Building temporary entrances and access roads to allow construction traffic to enter the undergrounding site from the local highway.
- Removing a section of 132,000 volt overhead line to the east of the substation and replacing it with underground cable. This enabled the 400,000 volt overhead line to pass safely overhead.
- Installing a Cable Sealing End (CSE) pylon to connect the new underground cable to the existing overhead line.
2025 to Late 2026
Work taking place:
- Connecting the network: We’re linking the new overhead lines to the substations at Seabank and Sandford to complete the power connection.
- 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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