A section of electricity infrastructure operated and maintained by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) in the South Downs National Park has been undergrounded as part of the distribution operator’s programme to replace overhead lines in areas that will benefit most from visual improvement.
The £150,000 programme of works by SSEN, which started in late summer of last year, has been completed and restores an historic view from the medieval Hampshire market town of Bishop’s Waltham.
The site had been proposed by local stakeholders as having the potential for visual improvement through the removal of the overhead network. Through subsequent consultation and analysis the works were approved as part of SSEN’s £15 million undergrounding programme, which aims to underground 90km of overhead distribution lines in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Parks and National Scenic Areas in central southern England and the north of Scotland.
This latest project - carried out across land on the Franklin, Dean and St Clair’s Farms – has removed a one kilometre section of overhead cables and supporting poles, replacing them with modern, robust underground cabling and providing the many people who use the local footpaths with an uninterrupted view across the local countryside.
In addition to the cabling works, a small, ground-mounted substation has been built to replace the overhead transformers. This newly installed section of infrastructure and associated equipment helps provide a more resilient power supply now and for years to come for local homes and businesses – as well as visitors to the area - as they adopt low carbon technologies to achieve their net zero goals.
Carl James, SSEN’s Project Manager said:
“SSEN has worked closely with Franklin, Dean and St Clair’s Farms throughout this project to accommodate important agricultural and seasonal schedules, and we’d like to thank them for their assistance and cooperation over the last few months; enabling our team to carry out the vital excavation works to accommodate the new cable.
“The initial proposal for the works came from the town’s stakeholders and after careful research of the local environment, the landscape and the technicalities of the scheme, SSEN was able to approve the project.”
Carl continued:
“As well as providing an uninterrupted view of the local area for the many people enjoying the footpaths, bridleway and stunning scenery across the local countryside, the project has boosted the local power supply; making it more resilient and fit for the future as more of our Hampshire customers move to low carbon technologies such as electric vehicles and heat pumps.”
Mr Kim Wilkie from Franklin Farm added:
“SSEN has made a big difference to the landscape and bridleways at this entrance to the National Park. The poles and lines have all gone and the trees are now allowed to grow uninterrupted. The scheme was done very professionally and efficiently.”
While SSEN’s overhead infrastructure provides a secure and cost-effective way of safely distributing electricity to homes and businesses, the distribution operator appreciates that the network can have an impact on the natural environment in officially designated beauty spots.
It’s through this understanding that SSEN encourages local people and visitors to these areas to share their views and assist in highlighting where investment through this £15 million undergrounding scheme will make the most difference.
For further information on the scheme and how you can propose an area to be considered for an undergrounding projects, please go to https://www.ssen.co.uk/undergrounding/.
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