Grid supply point substation construction update

In October 2022, National Grid’s planning application for a new grid supply point (GSP) substation at Butler’s Wood was approved by Braintree District Council. In this update, you can read more about upcoming construction activity, including the introduction of temporary traffic management measures along part of the A131.

Since beginning construction work last year, our appointed contractors have established a construction compound and undertaken site clearance work. In the coming months, the team will build a temporary overhead line diversion required as part of the GSP substation’s construction, and large supergrid transformers will be delivered to site. 

Before this work can take place, we need to build a bellmouth access from the site onto the A131. This bellmouth will ensure that vehicles leaving or joining the A131 to/from the GSP substation site have clear visibility of the road and help ensure safety for all road users.

To facilitate the safe construction of this access, we will be introducing temporary traffic management measures along the A131 between 17 January and 26 January 2024. During this period, one side of the carriageway in the vicinity of the GSP substation site will be closed and temporary traffic lights will be in operation. Vehicles using this part of the A131 between the dates listed may experience some short delays to their journey. 

We apologise for any inconvenience caused whilst the traffic management measures are in operation, but would like to assure you that they will be removed as soon as construction of the bellmouth is complete. Should there be any change to the timescales in which this work will be completed, we will reach out to provide a further update.