National Grid : Work to start on £3 million power line project between Bredbury and South Manchester

25 Apr 2017

• South Manchester power supply gets £3 millionrefurbishment
• Fifty-year-old pylons get new fittings for the first time
• National Grid webpage available for people to find out more

National Grid has started work on a £3 million project to refurbish the overhead line running between Bredbury substation and South Manchester substation in Sale. The essential work will take place across a 9km (5.5 mile) route of 30 pylons until September 2017.

The work will help to maintain the electricity supply in the area and keep power flowing to homes and businesses for decades to come. The line of plyons that runs between the two substations was built in the 1960s. The fittings on the pylons are now coming to the end of their working life and need to be replaced.

Project Engineer, Ryan Hatcher, said: 'Our upgrades to the electricity network in Bredbury and South Manchester are vital in ensuring local communities continue to have a safe, efficient and reliable source of electricity for many years to come.

'Maintaining the electricity network is an important part of National Grid's job. Investing in the UK's power network through improvements schemes such as this will help us meet the country's rising demand for power.'

Preparation started at the beginning of the year, clearing trees and bushes from around the base of pylons to enable safe access. Work to prepare access paths to specific pylons started at the beginning of April. Refurbishment work will begin in May and finish in late Autumn. allow temporary trackway to be laid to specific pylons.

The pylon route passes through Bredbury, Stockport, Mersey Vale Nature Park, Cheadle, Didsbury and Northenden, ending at the South Manchester substation on Fairy Lane in Sale.

National Grid works hard to minimise the disruption to communities its working in. Ryan explains: 'We may need to temporarily close some sections of road and footpaths in specific locations between May and August to protect public safety and allow us to safely access the pylon sites. We'll plan the footpath closures and restrictions so that all destinations are accessible - even if it means taking a diversion. Most of our work will take place between 7.30am and 6pm, with some work at weekends to get the job done as quickly as possible.

'We are a responsible business and are positive about investing in the communities where we work. Our community grant fund invests money into community schemes and our education sessions at local primary schools teach potential engineers of the future the theory and physics of electricity.'

People can find out the latest project information on the National Grid website at http://www2.nationalgrid.com/bredbury - this includes details about the work, a route map and other facts about National Grid's work.

Anyone who has questions or would like to know more can contact National Grid's Community Relations Team on Freephone 0800 073 1047, available daily from 7am to 7pm.