Melksham substation
We’re upgrading our existing Melksham substation so we can safely connect new sources of low carbon energy generation and energy storage to our network.
This work will install what is known as a supergrid transformer, as part of an innovative approach called a ‘grid park’. It enables us to connect multiple generation sources that have requested to connect to our network at the same point, saving time and money. This brings benefits to energy users locally and nationally.
The grid park design is efficient and cost-effective, reducing the overall work we need to do. Longer term, it also has the potential to help speed up low carbon power connections to the electricity transmission network.
The work will create a new small compound ( approximately 750m2), to the north of the existing substation’s boundary and south of Westlands Lane. This will not be visible to passing traffic.
We are carrying out most of this work under permitted development on National Grid owned land, which means we are not required to submit an application for planning permission. However, we must meet environmental licences as we carry out our activity We’ll make sure all our work is done carefully and considerately.
While doing our work, we’ll aim to minimise disruption to people locally and the environment by using considerate construction methods. We will, for instance, regularly monitor noise and dust to ensure it is kept to a minimum.
Project map
The map below shows the working area and new substation compound we're building. The extension will be approximately 750m2.
Frequently asked questions
Here you’ll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Melksham substation project.
We’ll update these FAQs as our work progresses and we hope they answer your questions about this project.
Vehicles will bring people and materials to site and take away spoil. We have developed a detailed traffic management plan to carefully control our vehicle movements locally.
This dictates that all our vehicles should arrive and leave along Westlands Lane to the west via the B3353, avoiding the railway bridge, Beanacre and the A350. Vehicle movements are also restricted to between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm Monday to Friday.
A Temporary Traffic Restriction Order (TRRO) is in place on the full length of Westlands Lane to reduce the speed limit to 20 mph. This will help keep residents and other road users safe and ensure our vehicles can safely enter and exit the site.
We have also placed signage at the junction of the A350 and Westlands Road to remind our drivers of the correct route into and out of our site. We continue to monitor our signage and will look to make improvements wherever possible.
To provide permanent access to the new substation area, we will need to widen the bellmouth of the gated entrance next to the existing National Grid site entrance on Westlands Lane. We are applying for planning permission for this and if granted, it will start late 2025.
We have carried out ecological surveys to understand what we need to do to protect local wildlife and biodiversity. We’ll ensure any vegetation clearance is kept to an absolute minimum. All this work will be carried out under the supervision of a licensed ecologist.
National Grid has committed to providing a minimum of 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in environmental value on all construction projects.
There are several National Grid projects planning to carry out work in and around Melksham substation in the coming years. These are part of the biggest upgrade of the national transmission network in a generation. We’re working closely with them to co-ordinate our work.
We are currently upgrading a section of our existing overhead line that runs between our substations at Melksham and Bramley in Hampshire. This work near and into our Melksham substation is planned to take place between June and November 2025. Scaffolding will be erected to ensure this can carried out safely. The project team will contact any residents that may potentially be impacted by this activity with more details nearer the time.
In the meantime, if you have any further questions, you can find out more about this work at:www.nationalgrid.com/bramley-melksham or contact the team directly at [email protected] for more details.
Separately, National Grid has submitted a planning application to Wiltshire Council for an extension to the west of the existing substation site for the installation of a new shunt reactor. A shunt reactor helps efficiently manage and regulate the complex movement of reactive power and voltage levels on the network. It is currently expected that this work will take place towards the end of 2026 or early 2027. We will keep you updated as these proposals progress.
We’ll make sure nearest residents are kept up-to-date as we progress our project, through direct correspondence such as letters. We’ll also continue to update this website with the latest information as our project progresses.
We will also keep important organisations and groups up to date as well, including Melksham Without Parish Council.
If you have any immediate queries, please contact the National Grid Community Relations team at the details below.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about the project, you can get in touch in the following ways:
Email us at: [email protected]
Call us on: 0800 138 5541
Document library
You can view the latest project update we’ve issued to nearest residents in the Document Library below.
You can also view a digital copy of our Frequently Asked Questions document and a graphical map of the proposals.