Ecologists help deliver power upgrade in Whitstable
Ecologists guided electricity crews on a £164,000 network upgrade in an area renowned for migrating, breeding and resident birds.
UK Power Networks enlisted advice from environmental experts from ADAS to carry out essential work which replaced 2.6km of high voltage overhead power lines in Seasalter, Whitstable, to ensure safe and reliable power supplies - and reduce the likelihood of power cuts for local residents and surrounding areas.
Engineers have refurbished the overhead power lines alongside Faversham Road, at the edge of The Swale – a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Protection Area and Ramsar site.
The project was planned outside the main breeding bird season and before the main over-wintering period to keep the impact to a minimum. In winter the area supports waterfowl including redshank and avocet and in the breeding season it is a wildlife haven for nesting birds.
Paul Fisher, senior project manager at UK Power Networks, said: “We have installed replacement electricity poles and cable across 26 spans of overhead network to provide greater network resilience, particularly during high winds in an exposed seafront area.
“ADAS ecological advice helped us deliver these improvements for the local area in a way that kept the impact to a minimum for the species which thrive in this special habitat, while increasing network reliability.”
James Simpson, associate director at ADAS, said: “ADAS was pleased to work alongside UK Power Networks to ensure best working practices could be implemented and avoid the sensitive biodiversity associated with the protected sites.”
UK Power Networks will also be re-seeding an access track on site as part of the project.
This is one of several electricity network improvements taking place across the South East as part of the company’s £600 million investment in its networks this year to maintain reliable electricity supplies.
UK Power Networks runs electricity supplies to more than 8.3 million homes and businesses across the South East, London and East of England and operates more than 12,000km of overhead electricity cables in the South East alone.
UK Power Networks enlisted advice from environmental experts from ADAS to carry out essential work which replaced 2.6km of high voltage overhead power lines in Seasalter, Whitstable, to ensure safe and reliable power supplies - and reduce the likelihood of power cuts for local residents and surrounding areas.
Engineers have refurbished the overhead power lines alongside Faversham Road, at the edge of The Swale – a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Protection Area and Ramsar site.
The project was planned outside the main breeding bird season and before the main over-wintering period to keep the impact to a minimum. In winter the area supports waterfowl including redshank and avocet and in the breeding season it is a wildlife haven for nesting birds.
Paul Fisher, senior project manager at UK Power Networks, said: “We have installed replacement electricity poles and cable across 26 spans of overhead network to provide greater network resilience, particularly during high winds in an exposed seafront area.
“ADAS ecological advice helped us deliver these improvements for the local area in a way that kept the impact to a minimum for the species which thrive in this special habitat, while increasing network reliability.”
James Simpson, associate director at ADAS, said: “ADAS was pleased to work alongside UK Power Networks to ensure best working practices could be implemented and avoid the sensitive biodiversity associated with the protected sites.”
UK Power Networks will also be re-seeding an access track on site as part of the project.
This is one of several electricity network improvements taking place across the South East as part of the company’s £600 million investment in its networks this year to maintain reliable electricity supplies.
UK Power Networks runs electricity supplies to more than 8.3 million homes and businesses across the South East, London and East of England and operates more than 12,000km of overhead electricity cables in the South East alone.
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