Power lines being removed from local beauty spot
Power lines are coming down across RSPB Buckenham Marshes in the southern Broads next month as part of a £2.9million scheme managed by EDF Energy Networks in the East of England.
The energy firm is investing almost £90,000 to remove over half a mile of overhead network from this internationally important bird reserve as part of a special allowance granted by industry regulator, Ofgem. Eleven wooden support poles will also be removed and a new transformer will be installed in place of the existing overhead equipment.
The wooden poles which are currently used to support the power line will be recycled by the RSPB, who own the land, to make gates and other useful equipment at this Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which is set in the Broads National Park.
The power line currently crosses wild, open grazing marsh which is visited by thousands of wildlife enthusiasts each year who delight in the wide range of wintering wildfowl and spring breeding birds that return to the site. The openness of the marshland and river corridor make the power line particularly prominent.
The project was prioritised as a result of a study by the Broads Society, commissioned by the Broads Authority. The work has been carefully scheduled so that it does not interfere with bird nesting patterns and the wet season, which makes the marshland inaccessible. Whilst work is underway EDF Energy Networks engineers will use special all-terrain vehicles at the site with low-pressure tyres which can be manipulated to have minimum impact on the land.
Ivan Storey, the EDF Energy Networks Project Manager responsible for this work is based in the company’s offices in White Horse Lane, Trowse. Ivan has worked for the company for 19 years and started his career as a linesman before progressing into project management. Ivan was born in Great Yarmouth, where he still lives.
Speaking about the scheme he said: "This has been an extremely interesting project to manage. By working closely with the RSPB and the Broads Authority we have been able to plan a project which will have the most positive impact on the local landscape."
Lesley Harrison, Broads Authority Landscape Architect, said: "The Broads Authority applauds EDF Energy’s success in getting this scheme up and running. Taking down these power lines will give uninterrupted views over the open grazing marshes which will both heighten the beauty of this nature reserve for visitors and remove a constant hazard for birds."
RSPB Warden, Alasdair Fraser, commented: "Buckenham Marshes is a very important site for wintering birds such as widgeons, teals and golden plovers, and for breeding lapwings and redshanks in spring. The removal of the power lines will eliminate the potential hazard for birds using the site, and give visitors the chance to enjoy wildlife in an untarnished traditional landscape."
The first stage of the project, which started this week, involves installing a new underground electricity cable which will replace the overhead power line. The new 11,000 volt cable will be installed around the perimeter of the field avoiding the flood plain defences of the River Yare. This part of the project is anticipated to take around 4 weeks to complete. Once complete, the new network can be ‘made live’ and the existing overhead power line will be switched off so it can be dismantled.
