National Grid ramp up construction on major Devizes project

In January the National Grid started preliminary work on a project to remove 4.6km of overhead electricity lines from the North Wessex Downs landscape, near Devizes.

The scheme will see the removal of 13 pylons running from Roundway Hill and Covet to the Bridge Inn on Horton Road.

They will be replaced with underground cables and two new sealing end compounds, where the cables will rejoin the overhead line.

So far initial work on the Devizes Visual Impact Provision project, which was approved by Wiltshire Council last year, has involved archaeological surveys, vegetation clearance, and early site preparation.

The National Grid says the works, which are being carried out by contractors Balfour Beatty, will become “much more visible” for the local community in the coming months.

Amardeep Malhi, lead project manager at National Grid, revealed that the main construction phase of the project is due to begin soon.

The area being transformed by National Grid (Image: National Grid)

Members of the public will be able to find out more about the work during community consultation sessions.

Mr Malhi said: “We’ve been working closely with the community and stakeholders including the North Wessex Downs National Landscape, Wiltshire Council, and local parish councils as we’ve refined our plans for this project which will benefit the local community and the area’s many visitors.

“It’s really exciting to be finally getting started on the main construction and we now want to invite local people to meet the team and find out what to expect. 

“We’ll also have information on our Community Grant Programme which will be running throughout construction and offers small grants of up to £20,000 to community groups and charities in the area near our work.

“We’d encourage everyone to come along to these events where my colleagues and I will be on hand to talk through the detail of the plans and answer any questions you may have.”

The public drop-in sessions will be held throughout March and are aimed at residents in Devizes, Bishops Cannings, Roundway, and Rowde.

What the area will look like after the works (Image: National Grid)

They will be held in The Shambles, Devizes, on March 14 (9am-1pm), Bishops Cannings Village Hall on March 13 (3pm-7.30pm), and Rowde Village Hall on March 16 (10am-2pm).

Members of the National Grid and Balfour Beatty team will be present to answer questions about the scheme.

An online webinar will run from 6pm on March 19.

The removal of all 13 pylons is expected to be completed by 2026.