A major project to remove the “blot” from the picturesque landscape near a Wiltshire town remains on track as work ramps up.
Preliminary works on the National Grid’s project to remove 13 electricity pylons from the North Wessex Downs National Landscape, near Devizes, began in January of this year.
Since then, construction has ramped up with the scheme still on track to replace 4.6km of overhead lines with underground cables, by 2026.
These lines will run from Roundway Hill and Covet to the Bridge Inn on Horton Road, and will rejoin the overhead line via the installation of two sealing end compounds.
READ MORE: National Grid ramp up construction on major Devizes project
Balfour Beatty, the contractor selected to carry out the scheme, is currently in the “enabling” works stage.
This includes ongoing archaeological stripping and surveys, vegetation and tree removal, fencing to mark the 4.6km construction route, the installation of crossing and pedestrian access gates, and the construction of a temporary road running across the route.
This road will facilitate construction traffic, taking these vehicles off the road network near Devizes and minimising disruption for residents.
In the coming days and weeks, work will also begin to divert the existing overhead line onto two towers at either end of the section.
This will be followed by trenching and the laying of cable.
Balfour Beatty’s senior project manager, Matthew Taylor said: “There were a few initial delays in getting guys onto the ground, so there has been a lot of pressure to get a lot of work done.
“We will be doing the trenching, the laying of the ducts, and then the cable pulling which will run into the winter months.”
Some footpaths and roads have been closed, often for short periods, over the last few months, causing issues for residents.
This has included the path behind the Wiltshire Concrete site, which has been shut to segregate pedestrians from plant machinery, for health and safety reasons.
But both Balfour Beatty and National Grid are working to minimise their impact by installing crossing controls to keep public rights of way safely open.
Mr Taylor added: “We’re making sure we maintain a positive relationship with the existing landowners, we span a lot of different tenants and farmers with their own businesses.
“The nature of the project means we disrupt that temporarily, as little as possible, so it’s just making sure we maintain that relationship with good communication by working with them.
“We’re minimising the impact on their businesses and livelihoods.”
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National Grid’s project manager Amardeep Malhi said community organisations and charities in the area impacted by the project can apply for grants of up to £20,000, through National Grid’s Community Grant Programme.
He added: “There will be some minor disruption so we want to support the community.
“Once our temporary road is complete the reliance on the local road system will be minimal, all of our heavy construction traffic will be going down the haul road.”
Any biodiversity removed as part of the construction phase of the project will be replaced and increased by 10 per cent.
Mr Malhi believes the scheme will transform and greatly enhance the natural landscape around Devizes.
He added: “This project has been carefully identified and very stakeholder-led, the main benefit is removing the blot from the natural landscape.
“Because of the Millenium White Horse and the high number of public rights of way, the route has been carefully selected.
“A key benefit is promoting the natural beauty of the landscape… the removal of the towers is scheduled for 2026 and we’re still on track for that.”
That summer the towers will be felled, and it is hoped members of the public will be able to observe this from a distance.
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