Pylon removal underway between Bridgwater and Sandford
National Grid has begun work to remove 37 kilometres of existing pylons and overhead wires owned by Western Power Distribution (WPD) between Bridgwater and Sandford. The works include removal of 8.5 kilometres from the Mendip Hills AONB.
In total, National Grid is taking down 99 pylons along this section of the Hinkley Connection route. 22 of these will have been removed by the end of 2021, with the final 77 being removed by summer 2022.
The first task by specialist teams from contractor, Balfour Beatty is to remove the wires (or conductors) from between the pylons. Specialist lifting equipment is used to safely lower and recover the overhead conductors. In some locations, in particular where the wires cross over roads and rivers, scaffolding and netting has been erected to support the safe removal of the wires. All overhead wires on this section will be removed by December 2021.
Next, the pylons are removed by dismantling or felling. Balfour Beatty will use the most appropriate traffic routes and WPD’s accesses to reach each of the pylons. Vehicles used by the teams will display signs to ensure they can be easily identified by members of the local community.
To keep members of the public and our teams safe while we carry out these works, we need to close some roads and use temporary traffic lights for short periods of time. To date, 16 of the 29 planned traffic management measures planned during these works have been completed. Visit our dedicated traffic management page for the latest updates on the locations and timings of roadworks in each area.
Once we have completed our work between Bridgwater and Sandford, National Grid will start to remove the line of WPD pylons that run from Sandford to Avonmouth; this work will take place during 2023.
By the completion of the project in 2025, National Grid will have removed 67 kilometres of overhead line. The removal of the pylons is to make way for and improve the visual impact of the new 400kV Hinkley Connection that will bring low carbon energy into 6 million homes and businesses in the UK.
