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 will be removing and replacing the existing cables along the Grand Union Canal towpath between Old Oak and Kensal Green, and laying 3km of new cable along the Grand Union Canal towpath using the existing high voltage cable troughs.

The first phase of works will focus on removing the existing cables from the towpath starting in May 2024 and is estimated to run until early 2025. After this, we will conduct a second phase of works to commission and install the new cables. This is estimated to be completed by summer 2026.

The works will be funded by National Grid and the new data centre operator. They will not come at a cost to the taxpayer.

Work will take place in phases and National Grid is working closely with Transport for London (TfL), London Borough of Ealing, London Borough of Brent, London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) and Canal River and Trust (CRT) to minimise disruption to towpath users. 

The first phase of works will not require towpath closures, instead, pontoons will be used at select points along the canal during the works to enable pedestrians and cyclists to continue using the towpath. 

The second phase of works will involve towpath closures and diversions and we will be holding public information events next year to share details once they are confirmed.

Wherever possible, we will seek to minimise disruption to those who live, work and travel along the canal. We will do this by only closing the canal towpath when necessary, keeping groups and individuals up to date with all our latest plans and welcoming any questions or concerns via our dedicated contact options. 

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. These events provided an opportunity for us to talk to the local community, understand their concerns and answer any questions that were raised.

As we move towards the second phase of the project, we will look to hold further events later in 2024 to share more information on our plans.  

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.