Willesden and Kensal Green Connection
We have received a request to provide a new connection for a data centre in the Park Royal area near to the Grand Union Canal. Under our license to operate, we have a legal obligation to connect companies to our network when a connection is requested.
We will be providing this new connection between our substations at Willesden and Kensal Green. This will involve replacing 3km of cable along the Grand Union Canal towpath, using the existing high voltage cable troughs.
We have now begun the first phase of works, which is estimated to run until early 2025. This will focus on removing the existing cables from the towpath. These will not require towpath closures – instead, pontoons will be used at select points along the canal during the works to enable pedestrians and cyclists to continue using the towpath.
After this, a second phase of works is expected to start in summer 2025. This will involve towpath closures and diversions, and we will be holding public information events to share details once they are confirmed.
The project installation is estimated to be completed by early 2026 and commissioning by summer 2026.
We will keep this website regularly updated as the project develops. If you would like any further information or to speak to a member of the community relations team about the works, please use the contact form on our website or via the contact details below.
Our work
Our contractors, Murphy—a leading international, multi-disciplinary engineering and construction specialist—have been hard at work decommissioning high-voltage cables along the Grand Union Canal in northwest London as part of the first phase of the Willesden and Kensal Green Connection project.
The video below shows how the team have removed nearly 3 km of cable from the Grand Union Canal.
Contact us
If you would like any further information or to speak to a member of the community relations team about the works, please use the contact form on our website or via the contact details below.
- E-mail: [email protected]
- Phone: 0800 093 1678
Our phone lines are open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. Any calls received outside of these times will be picked up via answerphone and will be responded to the next working day.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Here you’ll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the project.
About Willesden and Kensal Green Connection project
We have received a request to provide a new connection for a data centre in the Park Royal area near to the Grand Union Canal. Under our license to operate, we have a legal obligation to connect companies to our network when a connection is requested.
We will be removing and replacing the existing cables along the Grand Union Canal towpath between Old Oak and Kensal Green, and laying 3km of new cable along the Grand Union Canal towpath using the existing high voltage cable troughs.
The first phase of works will focus on removing the existing cables from the towpath starting in May 2024 and is estimated to run until early 2025. After this, we will conduct a second phase of works to commission and install the new cables. This is estimated to be completed by summer 2026.
The works will be funded by National Grid and the new data centre operator. They will not come at a cost to the taxpayer.
Local information
You may experience a static shock when walking on the pontoons set up along the canal. This is caused by the movement of the pontoon in the water, which creates friction between the plastic bases. National Grid has consulted with the barge hire sub-contractor and the pontoon owner, who have both confirmed that this is a common occurrence with all pontoons.
Whilst there is no way to completely prevent it, we would like to reassure you that it is not at all harmful. National Grid can also confirm that there are no live wires adjacent to or underneath the pontoons.
For the safety of both cyclists and pedestrians, we ask that all cyclists dismount from their bicycles when travelling along sections of the towpath where pontoons have been set up. This precaution helps prevent accidents and ensures the pontoons remain in good condition.
We have observed a significant outflow of water that's flowing into our works area and stopping us from removing cables from this section of the towpath.
Our teams have been conducting surveys over the past few weeks, which have led them to believe that the source of the leak is located outside The Collective along Atlas Road. To be able to reinstate the towpath as soon as possible, we’re working with Thames Water and The Collective to investigate this ongoing issue.
Once we can stop the outflow of water in this area, we will be able to resume our works and re-open this section of the towpath.
Coordinating with the community
In December 2023, we held a series of drop-in events across four separate locations including Willesden Junction, Kensal Green and Harlesden Underground Stations, as well on the Grand Union Canal itself, near to The Collective Old Oak. These events provided an opportunity for us to talk to the local community, understand their concerns and answer any questions that were raised.
We will look to hold further events ahead of phase 2 works to share more information on our plans.
We have regularly consulted both the Canal River Trust and Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation about the works, holding briefing sessions with our project and community engagement teams. In addition to this, we have briefed local ward councillors, local boroughs, Transport for London and additional community groups and stakeholders to make them aware of the upcoming works.
As part of the agreed project works, we have liaised with CRT to secure funding for specific investments along the towpath. This funding will be allocated to different sections of the towpath and treated on a case-by-case basis, working in partnership with CRT. This also includes our Community Grant Programme.
The Community Grant Programme is run by the National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) business. We own and maintain the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales. The 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.
More information is available at www.nationalgrid.com/responsibility/community/community-grant-programme.