BEAUTY spots across Scotland could receive a facelift after an electricity
operator has asked the public to nominate overhead power lines they would
like to see removed.
Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SHEPD) has launched a six month
consultation to identify 48km of its overhead distribution network across
national parks and scenic areas that could be ‘undergrounded’.
The £5.5 million project will give the public, authority groups and
charities the opportunity to nominate specific overhead line sections,
normally carried on wooden poles, within SHEPD’s network areas.
These include areas such as the Cairngorms, North Arran, the Cullin Hills
on the Isle of Skye and Ben Nevis and Glencoe.
The electricity operator will work with planning offices with
responsibility for National Parks and National Scenic Areas to help it
compare and prioritise the nominated sections.
Kirstine Wood, Stakeholder Engagement Manager with SEPD, who is working on
the project said: “Overhead power lines are vital to ensure a safe,
reliable and cost effective electricity network.
“However, we understand people feel they can have a detrimental impact on
the views of the natural environment.
“To help address this concern we are launching a programme of
undergrounding overhead lines in National Parks and National Scenic Areas.”
“We will engage with our customers and stakeholders to consider which
sections of the overhead network can be undergrounded in a cost effective
way and improves the visual impact of the natural environment.”
The cost to underground the overhead sections can vary due to the voltage,
length of circuit and geography and these will be considered when selecting
the final areas.
To nominate an area people need to complete a form on SHEPD’s website and
submit a photograph of the suggested area.
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