20
| NOVEMBER 2022 | UTILITY WEEK
Transmission
High Viz
Easy on the eye
Site preparation work is underway on National Grid's
major landscape enhancement project to transform
views across the Dwyryd Estuary.
The Snowdonia Visual Impact Provision (VIP) pro-
ject will involve the removal of 10 pylons and over
3km of overhead electricity line at the site.
National Grid is working with main contractor
Hochtief UK, with construction set to begin fully in
2023. The team will build a new tunnel underneath
the estuary to house cables, as well as constructing
two separate tunnel head houses located at Garth and
Llandecwyn, which have been designed to comple-
ment the local landscape.
With guidance from Gwynedd Archaeological
Trust, the team has commenced a comprehensive pro-
gramme of archaeological survey works in Garth.
Ecological surveys and habitat management works
were undertaken over the summer on the opposite
side of the estuary in Llandecwyn, led by Atmos
Consulting. This included vegetation clearance, the
installation of perimeter fencing and creation of "ref-
ugia" to help safely trap and relocate reptiles from the
site.
Following the initial site preparation work, the
team will move on to sha' sinking, tunnel and head
house construction, cable installation and commis-
sioning. When this phase of the programme is com-
plete, pylon removal is expected to take place in 2029.
