Work gets underway on £1bn high-voltage cable project (From Wirral Globe)

Work gets underway on £1bn high-voltage cable project

8:35am Friday 1st March 2013 in News

PREPARATORY work is underway ahead of the next phase of a £1bn Wirral power cable-laying project.

The ‘Western Link’ scheme will see a high voltage main cable laid underground through Wirral and across to Connah’s Quay.

It will help bring renewable energy from Scotland to homes and businesses in England and Wales. Laying of the cable in Wirral; planned to start in April and be completed by December 2015.

Small sections of hedgerow in Leasowe and Heswall are currently being removed by cable construction company Prysmian Group and replaced with temporary fencing as part of a four-week project to create future access points for construction work.

National Grid says the work is being done to minimise the effects on small animals and nesting birds.

The work is restricted to weekdays only between the hours of 8am and 4:30pm and National Grid has written to local residents informing them of the progess.

Project manager David Tustin said: “We will do everything we can to minimise disruption to local people while we carry out this work, and we will keep them informed as the project progresses.”

Agreement was reached in January between Wirral Council and the National Grid signalling the start of the next phase of the project.

At the time, the council said the agreement would ensure people continued to have access to Wallasey Embankment, Leasowe Common and the North Wirral foreshore, and that conditions are imposed to minimise the impact on migrating birds.

The Western Link is a £1 billion project that will help to bring renewable energy from Scotland to homes and businesses in England and Wales and will help the UK government meet its renewable energy targets. It is a joint venture between National Grid and Scottish Power, who have employed Prysmian Group for cable installation work on the project.

Although the land will not be owned by National Grid, the company will have the right to install, keep, maintain and repair the cables and equipment on condition that the common is not restricted at any time, and that wherever possible, public car parking spaces are not used.

Project director Graham Edwards said: “The Western Link is an incredibly important project for the UK, and will help the country meet its climate change commitments. We are working very constructively with Wirral Council to deliver the project.”

More details are available on the Western Link website www.westernhvdclink.co.uk.