National Grid seeks compulsory purchase ruling for Wirral's high voltage cable route (From Wirral Globe)

National Grid seeks compulsory purchase ruling for Wirral's high voltage cable route

10:47am Wednesday 29th August 2012 in News

Map showing route of Wirral power cable

NATIONAL Grid is finalising plans to use land in Wirral as preparations continue for a new high voltage electricity cable.

Work is set to begin early next year on the Western Link project which will see a 33km cable be installed through the borough in a bid to bring renewable energy to homes.

It is hoped the scheme will be a step towards meeting the UK’s carbon reduction targets.

And now a Compulsory Purchase Order has been issued by the network to acquire the rights over land located along the route.

A Compulsory Purchase Order is a legal ruling that allows certain bodies to obtain land or property without the consent of the owner.

National Grid say they need issue such an order so they have the rights to install and maintain the cables and equipment.

In a statement the company said: “National Grid always aims to reach voluntary agreements with landowners and tenants to acquire the rights to install and keep its cables and other infrastructure in land.

“On the Western Link project, we still hope to achieve voluntary agreements, but we have made a Compulsory Purchase Order as this ensures we can secure the necessary rights for the project if any voluntary agreements are not reached, or where there are concerns that not all rights over land have been discovered, despite our best efforts. National Grid is continuing to negotiate with landowners (in cases where voluntary agreements are still outstanding) in parallel with the CPO.

“The purpose of the CPO is to give National Grid the rights to install, keep, maintain and repair the electricity cables and equipment. National Grid will not own the land.

As part of the cable route, which runs from Scotland to Connah’s Quay, it will come ashore at Leasowe, through to the eats of Heswall and Neston before turning south-west between Buton and Puddington towards National Grid’s site at Deeside, where it will be connected into the existing transmission system.

However traffic disruption is expected to be kept to a minimum with clear signage being put in place where there is any.

A National Grid spokeswoman said: “The vast majority of the cable will run through private land so it will have very little impact on local communities.

“Information on the full details of the project is available on our website for residents.”

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

And work is now expected to be fully completed by 2015.

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.

"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."

Councillor Chris Meaden, cabinet member for culture, tourism and leisure said: “The compulsory purchase order by National Grid is a necessary step of the planning process for their scheme.

“Where the route of the new cable affects public areas such as Arrowe Country Park we are working closely with those involved to ensure there is minimum disruption. Consultations have taken place with the Friends of Arrowe Park and the golf clubs and users to discuss the route and the timing of operations.”

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