Little Horsted

Project description

At National Grid we are at the heart of Britain’s energy system, connecting people to the energy they use, safely and reliably. We keep the lights on so people can go about their daily lives. And we’re working to build a cleaner, fairer and more affordable energy system that serves everyone.

Electricity is carried from power stations, wind farms and other sources through a network of high-voltage electricity lines, owned and operated by National Grid. These electricity lines connect to hundreds of substations around the country, which then transfer electricity to local distributors, who in turn supply it at a lower voltage to local homes, schools and businesses.

This project involves the development of a new electricity supply point near Little Horsted, at the junction of Eastbourne Road with the A22. This is essential to allow UK Power Networks to connect to our network, enabling them to improve the electricity supply to the surrounding area and meet increased demand.

The new connection will involve building two new electricity substations (one for National Grid and one for UK Power Networks, which they will deliver) and two new pylons, along with the dismantling of one existing pylon.
 

Site update – January 2025

We continue to make good progress to build Little Horsted substation.

Our super grid transformers that were delivered last year are now being installed, ready for commissioning later this year, with most of the civils work now complete.

The project team will turn the access roads to stone and tarmac towards the end of the project, around spring 2026, when landscaping and tree planting will also be done.

What you may see/notice on site over the next few months

• Our fencing contractor will install security fencing around the site’s perimeter.
• You’ll start to see mechanical and electrical structures being built – this includes steelwork and the busbars the electrical equipment and wires will be fixed to.
• Enclosed building structures for control and protection equipment.
• Improvements to land off Palehouse Common and Sand Hill Lane to benefit protected species – this includes scrub and hedge planting, fruit tree planting, wildflower meadow creation, pond enhancements, the installation of bat and bird boxes and erection of deer fencing.
• During March and April, vegetation clearance for our overhead line works.
• From June, we’ll prepare for the overhead line works needed to connect the substation to the network. This requires work to neighbouring pylons and the overhead wires either side of the new substation from East Sussex National Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa (to the west) and Sand Hill Lane, Harveys Lane and Palehouse Common (to the east).
• During June and July workers will establish satellite compound areas where we will ‘pull’ the new wire from pylon to pylon, lay temporary trackway for access to pylon locations, erect scaffolding either side of the A22 and Eastbourne Road and net across the road for safety during reconductoring.
• From September to November our contractors will be working at height on pylons and there will be overhead line wire activity.
   

Road closures and traffic management 

There will be works nearby linked to our project, which will mean short-term road lane closures and traffic signals. We wanted to make you aware of them as delays are likely.

• Tuesday 28 January to Saturday 15 February on the A22 Uckfield Bypass: new service connection works – UK Power Networks.
• Some carriageway incursion (what 3 words: think.backfired.sliders).
• Thursday 6 February to Saturday 15 February on the A22 Uckfield Bypass: UK Power Networks. The above work involves night-time traffic signals between 7pm and 6am, and some noisy works are to be expected. This is the local highway’s request to ease impact to the network during the day. Please call UKPN on 0800 028 4587 and quote Ref: 150090637 for any queries regarding this work.
• Saturday 1 February to Sunday 2 February and Saturday 8 February to Sunday 9 February on the A22 Uckfield Bypass/Eastbourne Road at the junction with Harveys Lane: new service connection – UK Power Networks. Full road closure and signed diversion in place. For diversion details visit Causeway one.network.
• Wednesday 26 February at 7:30am to Friday 28 February at 5pm on the A22: new service connection – South East Water. Traffic control (two-way signals).

Dates to be confirmed:

• A22: fibre optic cable installation into site – likely traffic control (two-way signals).
• Scaffolding: dates to be confirmed once detailed design complete.
• Netting: likely to be done under ‘Stop and Go’ board traffic management conditions.
   

Footpath closures

The following footpaths will be impacted by our overhead line works between August and September. They will be temporarily closed in the interest of user safety while overhead work takes place. We’ll update this page with exact dates and a map nearer the time.

• Bridleway Little Horsted 10b
• Footpath Framfield 11
• Footpath Framfield 6
• Footpath Framfield 7
• Footpath East Hoathly with Halland 30

These footpaths will remain open: Framfield 9, 12, 10, 8a and 8b.

There will be short term path closures on Framfield 8a and 8b for scaffolding and netting to be constructed over the paths.

If you have any queries or concerns about this work, please contact our Community Relations team. You can call for free on 0800 073 1047 or email [email protected]. An answering service is in place outside normal working hours.

Community Grant Programme

Due to the very nature of what we do – connecting people to the energy we all use – we’re at the heart of communities and each year we make a significant charitable investment in the UK. Our Community Grant Programme is aimed at community organisations and charities in areas where our work is impacting local people through our operations and construction activities.

Communities impacted by the maintenance of existing infrastructure (e.g. refurbishment of overhead lines or substations resulting in road closures and other impacts) can apply for grants of up to £10,000.

Communities impacted by construction work for new infrastructure projects (e.g. the building of new underground tunnels or a new substation resulting in a significant increase in heavy goods traffic, noise and other impacts) can apply for grants of up to £20,000.
 

Find out how to apply
 

Frequently asked questions