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Churchill gets tropical
07/03/2017
Despite some unusual challenges, a major initiative which responds to the increasing levels of distributed generation in the South West is nearing completion.
We are undertaking a £1 million scheme of substation works and the construction of a new section of overhead line to provide an interconnection between Seabank and Bridgwater, through Churchill substation, located south of Bristol.
Pictured left to right are Linesmen James Moore, Colin Mercer, Richard Lee and Alex Morgan from the Projects South West team.
The works will help further ensure network security and meet future demand, notably from the currently projected new generation schemes in the South West and critically the proposed Hinkley Point C Nuclear Power Station connection.
Project Engineer Paul Young, who is managing the Overhead works, said: “One challenge of this job was working in a field of elephant grass, which is a species of tropical grass that is over ten feet tall and very sharp to touch. It had to be cut and cleared, so liaising with the landowner was necessary so he could bring in the specialist harvesting equipment. We also had to change foundations and modify steel on one of the existing 1950’s vintage towers. The tower was within touching distance of a stable block and paddock used as a horse riding school. Therefore further and detailed liaison with the owner was required to ensure both horses and inexperienced riders weren’t startled by the noise of the works.”
Projects Manager Richard Horlington, who is overseeing the project, said: “Through good planning, co-ordination and communication all has gone smoothly with work being completed on time.”
We are undertaking a £1 million scheme of substation works and the construction of a new section of overhead line to provide an interconnection between Seabank and Bridgwater, through Churchill substation, located south of Bristol.
Pictured left to right are Linesmen James Moore, Colin Mercer, Richard Lee and Alex Morgan from the Projects South West team.
The works will help further ensure network security and meet future demand, notably from the currently projected new generation schemes in the South West and critically the proposed Hinkley Point C Nuclear Power Station connection.
Project Engineer Paul Young, who is managing the Overhead works, said: “One challenge of this job was working in a field of elephant grass, which is a species of tropical grass that is over ten feet tall and very sharp to touch. It had to be cut and cleared, so liaising with the landowner was necessary so he could bring in the specialist harvesting equipment. We also had to change foundations and modify steel on one of the existing 1950’s vintage towers. The tower was within touching distance of a stable block and paddock used as a horse riding school. Therefore further and detailed liaison with the owner was required to ensure both horses and inexperienced riders weren’t startled by the noise of the works.”
Projects Manager Richard Horlington, who is overseeing the project, said: “Through good planning, co-ordination and communication all has gone smoothly with work being completed on time.”
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