Short-term enabling works and use of Conscience Lane
Short-term enabling works requiring the temporary use of Conscience Lane
Starting in early April 2024, enabling and construction work will soon be starting on National Grid’s Visual Impact Provision project in the North Wessex Downs National Landscape.
Since the start of the year, work has focused on archaeological surveys, vegetation clearance ahead of the bird nesting season and early site preparation, but the project will become much more visible in the community over the coming months.
Between now and summer 2024 we’ll be working with our main contractor Balfour Beatty to complete enabling works. We will then start main construction which will install the underground cables and transform the skyline around Devizes.
Short-term enabling works – Conscience Lane
The majority of our construction traffic will make use of a temporary haul road which we will build in the middle of our site. However, this will not be ready until summer 2024 and for the project to meet its planned dates, it’s vital that enabling works start in April 2024.
As a result, we will need to use Conscience Lane temporarily for a period of 12-16 weeks.
Our vehicles will only use the lane between 9.00am and 3.00pm. Larger vehicles (44+ tonnes) will be escorted to make sure that they progress safely and disruption is minimised as much as possible.
Access will be from the A342 only – no traffic will come through Roundway – and vehicles will enter our site via a new temporary access just to the east of Rowdefield Farm.
If large vehicles are using the lane, members of our team will temporarily halt the traffic coming from the opposite direction until the vehicle has entered our construction site. This should cause no more than a couple of minutes’ delay.
Safety is our top priority and we are making sure that information about safe driving on Conscience Lane is shared through driver briefings and daily tool box talks.
As part of this, we know that there are areas including around Tanis where pedestrians including young children and older residents may be using the road, and will make sure that drivers are especially careful in these locations.
An initial condition survey will make sure that we do not leave any lasting impact on the lane. We will repair any damage we cause and return it to its original condition at the end of our works.
We’re also aware of a number of local events but if there is something coming up that you think we should be aware of please let us know.
Throughout construction National Grid and Balfour Beatty will continue to work with organisations including the North Wessex Downs National Landscape, Wiltshire Council, and the local parish councils to ensure any disruption to local residents is minimised.
If you have any questions about the project or the works taking place, please contact the team by emailing [email protected] or calling 0330 134 0051 (and leaving a message if you are prompted).
