A leading Lake District landscape charity has welcomed news that a stretch of overhead power cables have been buried underground in a £400,000 project by SP Electricity North West.
SP Electricity North West has removed over 2km of overhead wires between Meathop and Ulpha in the Duddon Valley.
This recent scheme built on earlier work at Meathop Moss which also saw the removal of overhead lines and wooden poles.
The area is in the Lake District National Park and has views south across Morecambe Bay to Arnside Knott.
The work, part of SP Electricity North West’s five-year £8 million undergrounding programme, will eventually see more than 25 kilometres of overhead lines and wooden poles removed by 2028, all of which are situated in national parks and national landscapes in the North West.
Friends of the Lake District policy officer, Amanda McCleery, said: “These poles and wires were right by the Cumbria Coastal Way and close to two regional Sustrans cycle routes which makes it a popular area for walkers and cyclists.
“There are beautiful views north and west to the Lake District fells, so it is great to get these overhead lines removed.
“Friends of the Lake District appreciates the hard work put into such undergrounding schemes by multiple staff within SP Electricity North West, from when the site is first surveyed to when the last pole is taken down.”
Tracey Cuthbertson, who oversees the undergrounding schemes for SP Electricity North West in Cumbria, said: “We’re delighted to be able to enhance the local landscape by removing these power lines and poles so everyone can enjoy this beautiful part of Cumbria.
“Our electricity network is vital to ensure our customers across the North West receive a reliable power supply to their homes and businesses, but we do understand that sometimes it can impact the local landscape.
“We’re committed to working with the communities in which we operate, and we continue to work closely with the Lake District National Park Authority to help further protect this stunning area.”
Energy regulator Ofgem provided the undergrounding allowance and SP Electricity North West worked with the Lake District National Park Authority, which surveyed all the electricity lines in the national park to determine the most feasible to be removed.
Tim Duckmanton, on behalf of the Lake District National Park Authority, said: “Our collaboration with SP Electricity North West is essential for balancing the needs of the power network and working towards reducing its visual impact, whilst maintaining the sensitive and beautiful Lake District landscape. We are proud to work together on this.”
