Pylon replacement in 'Cumbria Ring' upgrade

4 hours ago

News image — Under the first stage of the project, 152 pylons are being replaced

ENW Engineers working on the replacement of an electricity pylon. The standing pylon has four workmen on its upper reaches. At its foot a plyon lies on the ground next to a yellow crane, and to the side is a high scaffolding structure with two workmen on its higher level. The scene is rural, with trees and hills in the background, and a house an what appears to be a barn just behind the scene of work. The sky has blue patches and cloud. — Under the first stage of the project, 152 pylons are being replaced

A £56m engineering project involving hundreds of people is under way in Cumbria.

Engineers from SP Electricity North West (ENW) are replacing a 47km (29 mile) stretch of overhead power lines along the West Coast of Cumbria.

The work from Roosecote to Sellafield is being carried out a transmission network which feeds into the wider power network known as the Cumbria Ring, which will itself be upgraded in the coming years.

With much of the work taking place in remote areas, ENW said it had been in regular contact with the relevant authorities, and local ecology experts also been consulted with some areas protected.

The company described it as a major step forward which would strengthen the reliability, resilience and capacity across the region's electricity network.

Vincent Cranny, head of capital delivery, added: "Once the whole of the Cumbria Ring is upgraded, capacity in the local network will almost double enabling a clean affordable energy future.

"Homes and businesses will be able to adopt low carbon technologies such as electric vehicles and heat pumps at scale while allowing for future economic development for the region too."

"This project has taken years of planning and we're delighted it is under way and making good progress."