New view from Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve
On 8 August 2023, National Grid’s principal contractor, Balfour Beatty, felled the last of 15 lattice pylons in and around Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve as part of National Grid’s Hinkley Connection Project.
The removal of the lattice pylons brings the works within the Reserve, which have been ongoing since March 2023, another step closer to completion. In this time work has included cables being installed, temporary work areas built and T-pylons constructed. The latter stages of the works will involve reinstatement of the land with all construction activity completed by 2025.
The project has worked closely with North Somerset Council, including the Reserve Warden, to ensure our agreed works are carried out to avoid impacting local wildlife while ensuring the essential works are completed on time and with as little disruption to the Reserve as possible.
The removal of 15 lattice pylons makes way for two T-pylons within the reserve near the reserve entrance from Sheepway and one next to Wharf Lane. The new T-pylons were lifted into place by crane in three sections in September 2022 and teams returned to hang the diamond-shaped insulators and wires that will carry low carbon energy from Hinkley Point C in March 2023.
Hinkley Connection Project Director Steve Haskayne said, “We’re delighted to see the completion of the pylon construction and removal work at Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve. The response we’ve received to date on the look of the new T-pylons from Reserve visitors has been positive and we’d like to offer our huge thanks to all the local dog-walkers, cyclists, joggers, ramblers and reserve volunteers for their patience during the works and as we begin reinstatement.”
The work at Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve is part of the Hinkley Connection Project, which involves building a new 57 kilometre, high voltage electricity line to connect six million homes and businesses to new sources of homegrown, low carbon energy.
