Power line upgrades next to Loch Ness to cause disruption for A82 trunk road and Great Glen Way walkers, warns Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN)
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Major power line upgrade works are set to cause disruption on the A82 and Great Glen Way in May, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks has warned.
SSEN Distribution will begin work to upgrade the power lines between Drumnadrochit and Fort Augustus from Thursday (May 2).
The month-long work, which it says will “improve reliability” of supplies to more than 1300 homes and businesses in the Loch Ness area, will also provide extra capacity within the network.
It comes as several major new electrical transmission upgrades prepare to enter the pipeline across the Highlands to cope with future renewable energy projects.
And SSEN Distribution will be carrying out work on the lines south of Drumnadrochit from May 2 until the end of the month, weather permitting.
It has advised motorists that “24-hour traffic management” that reduces sections of the A82 to single lane, will be in force as the project progresses.
It added that walkers using the Great Glen Way will be able to continue to enjoy access to the route during the works, but that there may be occasions where trekkers will be asked “to wait for a short time at designated points” while equipment deliveries take place.
Project manager, Paul Phillips, said: “We want to ensure we’re doing all we can to provide our customers with a safe, secure and reliable power supply all year round. As part of this commitment, we’ve got an ongoing programme to replace equipment which is coming to the end of its scheduled working life.
“And in the case of this project along the A82, we’re also upgrading the infrastructure at the same time – when we’re putting up the new lines these will be installed on uprated poles which, in turn, will be able to transport higher loads of power when demand on the local network increases. In addition, we’ll also be carrying out tree-pruning to minimise the risk of any branches being blown into our lines during the high winds that this area can typically experience.”
He added: “Working on such a steep, tree-lined part of the country comes with its own unique set of challenges. In addition to the traffic management which will be in place along sections of the A82, we’re also going to be erecting special safety barriers at the bottom of the hillside all the way along the route to prevent any debris falling onto the road and in the way of road-users.”
SSEN Distribution has advised that the traffic management programme will be signposted in advance of the work starting and will be removed at the point that the works are completed.
It explained that the road management is the result of the steep hills above the A82 making for challenging underfoot terrain for workers and added that the logistics of carrying out the upgrade “have been many months in the planning with key stakeholders”.
