National Grid is investing nearly £6 million on refurbishing the overhead power line that runs across the Wirral from Birkenhead to Capenhurst. Wirral is a peninsula in North West England between the River Dee and the River Mersey. This overhead line is part of the network of overhead lines, underground cables and substations that carry high voltage electricity across the country. The refurbishment work will keep the line in good working order to ensure that everyone has the power they need, safely, and at the touch of a button.
Engineers will be replacing the fittings that connect the wires to the 47 pylons. Work has already started and is expected to be completed in early December. There will be no interruption to electricity supplies during the work.
National Grid, which is the UK’s largest utility, has been working with local authorities, the Environment Agency and Natural England, amongst others, to plan the work on the power line. No roads or footpaths will be closed while the work is being carried out although, in agreement with Cheshire West and Chester Council, part of the Wirral Way will be reduced in width for a short time to allow access to some of the pylons. People will still be able to use the Wirral Way while the refurbishment work is under way.
Paul Devenish, Project Manager, said: “Our job is to connect people to the energy they use. This investment of nearly £6m will help ensure we can all continue to rely on having energy at our finger tips. Our society is built on the warmth and light we rely on at home, and the power which keeps our factories and offices going.”
National Grid is continuing its investment in the Wirral area in 2013 when, in partnership with Scottish Power, it starts to construct the Western Link cable, which follows a similar route to the overhead power line in some places. The cable is part of a £1bn project to help to bring renewable energy from Scotland to homes and businesses in England and Wales. The two projects are not connected, although both are important to ensure that National Grid continues to provide the electricity on which everyone depends.
