UKPN to remove power lines along Norfolk coast path

UK Power Networks (UKPN) is working alongside the Norfolk Coast Partnership to remove overhead power lines from a popular walking area near Burnham Overy.

An estimated 10,000 walkers will use this section of the Norfolk coast path national trail each year.

The project, costing £135,000, will see 1.1km of overhead lines removed alongside other pieces of electrical equipment, replaced by 970m of underground cables.

This brings the total to 6km of overhead lines replaced with underground cables in the east of England over the last four years.

Roughly half of the cabling laid down will be funded by Ofgem as part of its visual amenity policy, with UKPN covering the rest of the costs in line with its long-term network spending plan, which involves £6.6 billion of investment between 2015 and 2023.

In March, UKPN announced it had invested £1.4 million into a substation in Sundridge, near Sevenoaks, in Kent.

As well as enhancing the view, the new cables should improve the quality and reliability of electricity between Burnham Norton and Burnham Overy Staithe villages, the company said.

The removal will also protect the area’s local birds, including wintering wildfowl, which have had a few instances of striking the wires previously.

UKPN project manager, Tony Dobing, said: “This is already a stunning location and removing the power lines and electrical infrastructure will only improve it further for the many walkers who use the routes in and around this area.

“The route includes an iconic windmill with many walkers pausing at this point. As it stands this view includes electrical infrastructure, but this will be removed which will also benefit the safety of local wildlife in what is a core area of the coastal habitat.

“There are also practical reasons for this work including the fact that underground cabling should be less likely to suffer damage so local power supplies will be more reliable for the area’s residents.”

Estelle Hook, manager of the Norfolk Coast Partnership, added: “We are delighted to continue working with UK Power Networks and local landowners to deliver a number of these Ofgem-funded schemes, which allow electricity distribution companies to replace overhead lines with underground cables in areas of outstanding natural beauty and national parks.

“This scheme at Burnham Overy was selected because of the benefits to people’s enjoyment of this lovely little river valley and their views of its iconic watermill, windmill and marshes.”