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 are replacing 3 km of cable along the Grand Union Canal towpath between Old Oak and Kensal Green, using the existing high-voltage cable troughs.
Our works programme is divided into two phases. The first phase involved removing the existing cables along the Grand Union Canal towpath between Old Oak and Kensal Green. This started in May 2024 and was completed in May 2025. The second phase began in July 2025.
Phase two of our programme to install new equipment and cables along the Grand Union Canal towpath recommenced this autumn. We are now expecting to complete phase two with one final closure in 2027. Once our programme is finalised, we will share the new date in advance of the work starting.
The first phase of works focused on removing the existing cables from the Grand Union Canal towpath. This phase began in 2024 and is estimated to run until May 2025.
These works include the decommissioning and removal of the existing 275kv cable between Kensal Substation and Willesden Substation. During this phase, we are also removing any damaged cable troughs, redundant link boxes and bridge foundations, and installing new fibre ducts and chambers to enable to installation of cable during phase two.
During these works, we installed pontoons to enable pedestrians and cyclists to continue using the towpath.
The second phase of work will see our contractors lay new cables. This involves the installation of new link boxes, fibre cables, and joint bays that will support running the cable along the canal. Our teams will also be planting new hedgerows along the towpath during this phase.
To enable our engineers to work safely and efficiently along the canal, three sections of the towpath were closed to allow us to complete the second phase of work. We are now expecting to complete phase two with one final closure in 2027. Once our programme is finalised, we will share the new dates in advance of the work starting.
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
We’ll need to temporarily close a short section of the towpath near Kensal Green Substation for a brief period in 2027. We will share more details in due course.
Sections of the towpath will need to be closed to enable our engineers to work safely and efficiently along the canal. During works, there will be no end to end access along the towpath, meaning pedestrians and cyclists will need to follow a diversion route where they would usually use the towpath.
Whilst we installed pontoons for the works that took place during phase one, this is not viable during the second phase of works. The installation of new cables is a ‘rolling process’ rather than static, meaning lengthy sections of the Grand Union Canal towpath need to be closed to enable cable installation. Due to the length of sections needed to be closed during cable installation works, erecting pontoons is not feasible as this would hinder continued access to the canal for barges.
The project team has carefully considered all possible alternatives to closures and diversions. Our strong preference was to avoid closures altogether given the disruption to the public, and we have explored all options of removing the existing cables that would avoid towpath closures by using pontoons. Unfortunately, as the installation of new cables will be a rolling process, lengthy sections of the towpath will need to be closed to avoid any health and safety risks, incurring diversions.
The delay to the third closure is the result of a revised work programme. During the winter moorings period, which runs from October to March, towpath closures are not permitted, so consequently the works were put on hold until 2026. The towpath has since been reopened, and we will provide a further update once new dates are confirmed.
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, to inform the local community about our phase one works. These events provided an opportunity for us to talk to the local community, understand their concerns and answer any questions that were raised.
In June 2025, we engaged with the local community and stakeholders ahead of planned diversions along the Grand Union Canal, hosting community drop-ins and a webinar to provide information and address questions ahead of our phase two works. You can read more here.
Our teams also spoke with canal towpath users in September 2026 ahead of the phase two works.
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.