The Cross Border Connection (Galashiels to Cumbria) is a joint development between SPEN in Scotland and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) in England. The two parties are working closely on the project, with SPEN at least a year ahead of their English counterpart who has only just announced consultations. Both will need to be aligned to progress to construction.
SPEN propose building a new 400kV overhead line between the proposed Gala North substation and Teviot, and from the proposed Teviot substation to the border, where it will connect in England. SPEN has already published the outline route corridors, and we expect tower location proposals to be available shortly. Many of our clients engaged us as soon as they heard about the project, as it enabled them to provide essential feedback and potentially influence them at the consultation stage. This has been especially important to clients where the proposed line would seriously affect the day to day and long term running of their farms, and we have already given SPEN feedback.
Whilst Scotland has been consulting on proposed routes for some time, in England, the project has just begun. The initial consultation was announced on 15th October and runs until 10th December and is the first opportunity for landowners and farmers to learn if the proposed infrastructure works will potentially affect their land.
The proposed routes in England begin at the Scottish border at Kershope Forest, running to Longtown and Carlisle, Warwick-on-Eden then Wetheral. There is a long way to go before any route is finalised, but the announcement means landowners and farmers in the area are no longer in limbo and now have a chance to provide feedback on the proposals.
Details of the work include installing a new 400 kilovolt (400 kV) substation in the Carlisle area, with connectivity to the existing electricity network and a new 400 kV overhead pylon line from the substation to the England–Scotland border.
From our experience in Scotland, engaging a professional at the start of the process often saves time and money later on – and your agent can point out issues that landowners and land managers may not have considered. Once the proposed line route is approved, NGET will contact landowners, and from this point, your reasonable Agency and legal fees are likely to be reimbursed by the operator as part of your compensation.
If you are faced with potential infrastructure issues, NFUS Members can access the free Utilities Helpline on 0131 609 9717 or email nfusutilities@drrrual.co.uk. Non members wanting an initial conversation on any of these projects, can contact Edinburgh Office team on 0131 449 6212, or the Cumbria team on 01900 268633.
