Works progresses at Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve
T-pylons in Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve are now adorned with their steel diamond-shaped insulators that will carry the conducting wires between pylons on the Hinkley Connection route.
Our contractors have also been busy removing a lattice pylon around the Portishead substation, which was placed within the nature reserve before it was deconstructed. This is just one of the 249 pylons that are being removed from the Somerset landscape as part of the project, meaning that part of the Mendip Hills will be pylon free for the first time since the 1930s.
Further completed work includes the piloting and pulling of steel wire bonds at ground level between overhead line pylons. This has prepared the T-pylons for stringing works which will see wires placed between the pylons.
The final 10 lattice pylons will be removed in July.
Hinkley Connection Project Director Steve Haskayne said, “I am pleased to see our contractors make so much progress at the Portbury Nature reserve. It is important to us that we respect our natural surroundings as we continue to progress construction under supervision of the local authority. We would like to thank visitors and local residents for their understanding as we finish the work.”
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.
The project is working closely with North Somerset Council, including the Reserve Warden, to ensure our agreed works are carried out to the Council’s satisfaction and to avoid disturbing local wildlife while ensuring the essential works are completed on time and with minimal disruption to visitors and wildlife.
