Power cables running through the Burnham-On-Sea area from Hinkley Point to Avonmouth look set to use a revolutionary new pylon design in a bid to address the concerns of residents.
National Grid has announced this week that the futuristic T-Pylons are being offered for the first time to Somerset.
It comes after residents had expressed concerns that the 400,000 volt pylons needed to carry the wires would be much higher than those on the existing 132,000 volt line currently running along the route.
However, at 36 metres high, the T-Pylons are nearly one third shorter than the traditional 4000,000 volt lattice design pylons.
Engineers from National Grid are working with landscape architects to identify sections of the route where the new pylon design would have the mpst benefit.
They will then be included in the next round of public consultation this September when National Grid will invite local peope’s views.
The T-pylons have been selected for use in the UK following an international competition organised by the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Edward Davey, said in a statement this week: “We face a significant challenge over the coming years connecting new electricity plants to our homes and businesses. Now communities can be offered a new choice and a radical departure from the traditional lattice.”
“A smaller pylon, one third shorter than its predecessor, with different finishes allowing it to blend into the landscape – T pylon is a striking and elegant design.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing T-pylon put into service; a graceful, refined structure fit for the needs of our low carbon, 21st century.”
National Grid has proposed a scheme for a 400,000 volt power connection between Hinkley Point and Avonmouth, running through the Burnham area. Despite calls for the line to be buried underground, National Grid announced that the 37-mile power line would run overground in the Burnham area last November, as we reported here.
