THE route of a new high-voltage electricity cable that will be laid across Wirral has been revealed by National Grid this morning.

The 33km cable is part of Western Link, a project bringing renewable energy from Scotland to homes and businesses in England and Wales.

It will come ashore at Leasowe, continuing underground to the east of Heswall and Neston before turning south-west to run between Burton and Puddington towards National Grid's site at Deeside, where it will be connected into the existing transmission system.

Initial work to prepare for the main construction of the cable is likely to begin later this year.

Main construction is planned to start early next year, with completion by the end of 2015.

National Grid in partnership with SP Transmission have appointed Siemens/Prysmian as the main contractor for the project.

The team is currently developing a detailed construction programme.

National Grid say the project is just one step towards meeting the challenge to modernise and extend the country's existing energy infrastructure to ensure energy security in years to come and help meet the UK's carbon reduction targets.

In February 2011 public exhibitions were held in Moreton and Neston to explain the plans and obtain feedback from the local community.

Cable project manager Peter Roper said: "The most important part of our consultation is the feedback we receive.

"This has helped us develop our plans and make changes in a number of important areas.

"The feedback received, together with information from further technical and environmental investigations we have undertaken, has enabled us to refine the route to the one published today."

The cable will be laid mainly in agricultural fields, avoiding environmental designations such as Special Protection Areas and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Where sensitive areas of woodland cannot be avoided special techniques will be used to drill underneath and so avoid any impact.

Project manager Peter Roper continued: "Our priority is to minimise disruption to the communities where we are constructing this cable and to the land through which it passes.

"Before we start construction we will work closely with the local authorities to ensure that effects on traffic are minimised and noise and dust controlled.

"We will also hold a series of public information events to let local people know what is planned in their area."

A more detailed map can be viewed on the website www.westernhvdclink.co.uk.