National Grid’s Visual Impact Provision (VIP) programme sets out to reduce the impact of existing electricity transmission lines in Areas of Outstanding National Beauty (AONBs) and National Parks across England and Wales.
One of several projects within the wider VIP programme, Dorset VIP was the first to be undertaken and involved the removal of 22 towers and 8.8 kilometres of overhead lines near the villages of Martinstown and Winterbourne Abbas, replacing them with an underground connection.
This work formed part of the Engineer, Procure and Construct (EPC) cable framework, which we were appointed to in 2016.
Project fact
The project site hosted evidence of early Roman activity: items discovered by archaeologists included a Severn Valley ware tankard, estimated to date from between AD 40 and 100.
Surveying the project route
Making a difference
We used a new method to receive the 109 cable drums, each weighing 40 tonnes, required for the project. With a specialised trailer provided by our in-house plant company Magnor Plant, we were able to offload the drums without needing cranes or lifting equipment. This reduced cost and safety risk, gives greater flexibility in managing logistics, and improves the installation and management of the cables.
We also contributed to the community with our sponsorship of a local cricket team.
