Views across Kent’s Stour Valley have been transformed by a power line undergrounding project.
UK Power Networks, a distribution network operator for electricity covering South East England, the East of England, and London, has invested £485,000 to remove 2km of overhead cables and 27 poles from Kent Downs National Landscape at the historic, picturesque village of Wye.
The power lines ran parallel with a country lane at the entrance to the village and passed through Grade II registered parkland in front of Olantigh House, in an area popular with walkers on the Stour Valley Walk and North Downs Way National Trail.
The scheme was achieved through UK Power Networks’ power line undergrounding initiative to enhance the natural beauty of Britain’s National Landscapes and National Parks. Projects are chosen by environmental experts on a regional steering group chaired by Natural England, including Kent Downs National Landscape, which nominated the scheme.
Carl Bennett, a Surveyor at UK Power Networks, comments, “Wye is a picturesque medieval village situated within the Kent Downs along the famous ‘Pilgrim’s Way’. The village is packed with history, full of distinctive character, and abuts the River Stour on its western side. The area is a magnet for walkers due to the beautiful landscape consisting of rolling hills, patchwork fields, and idyllic woodland trails meandering through the Kentish countryside.
“UK Power Networks’ investment has enhanced the visual amenity and natural character of the area, opening up stunning vistas for the enjoyment of both locals and visitors alike. The removal of the electrical lines has made a positive impact on the local area which has enhanced people’s enjoyment of the Kent Downs.”
James Loudon, Landowner, says, “UK Power Networks has done an excellent job in undergrounding overhead lines in the Kent Downs AONB near Wye. Its work has certainly improved the natural landscape in the area and has been carried out in a most efficient and timely fashion.”
Tim Owen, Senior National Landscape Manager at Kent Downs National Landscape, adds, “Whilst these projects take a while to come to fruition, it’s certainly well worth the wait. Seeing the unimpeded views across the Stour Valley and through the historic parkland is such an impressive change. This area of the National Landscape is rich in history and the landscape breathtaking. This investment in the landscape has definitely improved the area for everyone.”
UK Power Networks planned and agreed the route for new underground cables and a substation with landowners before the new underground cables and equipment were installed, after which the overhead lines and poles were switched off and dismantled.
In the last 10 years, UK Power Networks has invested approximately £7 million in 16 power line undergrounding schemes to remove 64km of overhead power lines from the country’s protected landscapes in the South East and East of England.
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