Desert Britain's
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GRIDLINEAutumn 2016 The magazine for landowners Britain'sdesert Weather-beaten boats and rusting rail tracks mark the spot for a major new power project Inside It takes ‘allsorts’: keeping sweet-toothed tradition alive Laser learning: are you making the most of your land? WIN a relaxing two-night getaway GridlineAut_p01_Cover_v2.indd 2 13/09/2016 14:48 Highland ponies 16 From May to November, grantor Richard Baugh’s life is one long party, but it’s strictly business now he’s found a new sideline for his pig farm enterprise. The result is pure theatre Some useful contact numbers The Land & Business Support team are responsible for acquiring all rights and permissions from statutory authorities and landowners needed to install, operate and maintain National Grid’s electricity and gas transmission networks. The group acts as the main interface for landowners who have gas and electricity equipment installed on their land. Your local contacts are listed below. ELECTRICITY AND GAS » Land teams – all regions 0800 389 5113 WAYLEAVE PAYMENTS » For information on wayleave payments, telephone the payments helpline on 0800 389 5113 CHANGE OF DETAILS » To inform National Grid of changes in ownership or contact details, telephone 0800 389 5113 for electric and 01926 654844 for gas, or email [email protected] ELECTRICITY EMERGENCY » Emergency calls to report pylon damage to National Grid can be made on 0800 404090. Note the tower’s number – found just below the property plate – to help crews locate it ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS » For information on electric and magnetic fields, call the EMF information line on 08457 023270 (local call rate). Website: emfs.info GAS EMERGENCY » 0800 111 999 DIAL BEFORE YOU DIG CONTENTS » Before carrying out any work in the vicinity of gas pipelines, overhead power lines or REGULARS with paint. We reveal how your spare underground electric cables, you should contact 04 Plant Protection on 0800 688588 so that searches The overhead line corridors that double land could make you money can be made to determine the exact position of as wildlife havens 12 When a major power refurbishment any National Grid assets 05 The 3D robots are coming. The high-tech cuts through a nature reserve, Special inspection devices giving us a better view Area of Conservation and Site of CUSTOMER COMMENTS inside high-pressure installations Special Scientific Interest… and Write to Land & Business Support, » 05 National Grid House, Warwick Strengthening cross the Mersey: how safeguards the environment Technology Park, Gallows Hill, Warwick, National Grid works with Mother Nature 16 Hogging the limelight: business is hotting Warwickshire CV34 6DA. Or email up for a grantor who has taken his [email protected] FEATURES award-winning service for local butchers 06 The tiny English field that’s unique for and chefs to the next level producing one of the nation’s best-loved 19 In the heart of their communities, Gridline200mm is produced by or most-loathed tastes of times gone by National Grid employees have been busy 09 Why grantors are critical to the future of helping a charity support troubled young Victoria Court, 8 Dormer Place, energy supply in the UK: National Grid’s people, protecting a park’s historic yew Leamington100mm Spa, Warwickshire new CEO talks to Gridline avenue and constructing safer pipelines CV32 5AE 10 Outdoor adventure gaming has come a 20 Win a two-night weekend getaway at long way since the days of being splatted one of 200 locations around the UK 50mm 02 AUTUMN 201625mm GRIDLINE 12mm GridlineAut_p02-03_Contents_v3.indd 2 15/09/2016 13:16 WelcomeOur grantors are critical to the safe and secure supply of energy to homes and businesses around the UK. The relationship National Grid has with grantors is something we treasure and constantly strive to improve upon, as new CEO John Pettigrew explains in an interview on page 9 and at gridline.nationalgrid.com This autumn, in a project led by James Dean, land offi cer north-west & Scotland, we will be contacting grantors with underground electric cables on their land as part of a nationwide initiative to make sure we have correct land ownership details and to share essential safety information. We operate 1,400km of underground electric cables in the UK, often in built-up urban areas where space is at a premium 12 and in protected landscapes or sensitive habitats where they are sometimes chosen because of their reduced visual impact compared to overhead power lines. It’s vital our records are up to date so we can contact landowners and occupiers quickly when we need to carry out maintenance or repair. We’ll also be taking the opportunity to remind people about essential safety advice, and about the processes they should follow if considering any work in the vicinity of underground cables. This edition is full of all the usual diversity our grantors bring, from a laser gaming centre to the UK’s only 10 commercially grown liquorice fi eld. 06 Dawn McCarroll 05 Editor, Gridline GRIDLINE AUTUMN 2016 03 GridlineAut_p02-03_Contents_v3.indd 3 13/09/2016 12:37 Business as usual ONE-MINUTE National Grid announced its intention to sell a majority stake in its Gas Distribution business last INTERVIEW November. We’ve been working on separating the business ready for sale by starting to engage with buyers, with a view to completing a sale early in 2017. Harriet Griffi n, land Although ownership of the business is changing, offi cer east there won’t be changes for grantors or land owners. We remain committed to operating our pipelines safely and reliably, with minimum inconvenience to communities. I joined National BACKGROUND We will continue to provide updates on the sale in Grid as a land offi cer in January 2016. Previously, I worked for Yorkshire Water Safety and keeping in future issues and on completion, bringing you details about how best to touch with grantors will contact us. In the meantime, please continue to contact us in the same way as a land and property graduate remain the top priorities surveyor after graduating during the sale process you currently do. If you are planning any work near gas pipelines, contact with a degree in rural the Plant Protection team at least 14 days in advance. To contact us: property management ● complete an online request at beforeyoudig.nationalgrid.com to receive from Harper Adams University, Shropshire. an initial response within minutes ● email [email protected] – you will be sent an automated CURRENT FOCUS response to confi rm receipt Completing the land ● call Plant Protection for free on 0800 688 588 or write to National Grid offi cer development Find out more: visit programme over the next www2.nationalgrid. Plant Protection, Brick Kiln Street, Hinckley, Leicestershire LE10 0NA. com/UK/Safety/ 18 months alongside my land We will complete a risk assessment and provide you with a free map of Dial-before-you-dig/ offi cer role, currently focusing on our infrastructure, if appropriate. tower maintenance schemes. LEISURE INTERESTS Bikram yoga – it’s much better than it sounds. FILM YOU CAN WATCH TIME AND TIME AGAIN Bridget Jones, it’s a classic. NEWSLINE FAVOURITE FICTIONAL HERO Harry Potter. Who wouldn’t want magical powers? The latest news from National Grid and its landowner partners HAPPINESS IS Walking my dogs, Lola and Coco, in the sun. Of mice and men SMART ENERGY PET HATE Coriander: I can’t stand it. Overhead power line corridors in Sheffi eld are set to A number of NHS BEST BIT OF ADVICE YOU’VE double up as wildlife havens in an ambitious project to save hospitals are among BEEN GIVEN Everything happens threatened species. energy-using companies for a reason. and organisations that have National Grid is teaming up with Sheffi eld City Council signed up to a National NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW to link isolated populations of great crested newts and Grid scheme where they I once appeared on The Apprentice, harvest mice through focused habitat creation. A series of receive payments in return but as a customer, not a contestant! breeding ponds under the power line between Holbrook for reducing the amount of Marsh and Beighton Marsh will be created a few hundred power they draw from the FAVOURITE PHRASE A calm grid at peak usage times. sea never made a skilful sailor. metres apart. “Many land-based species face genetic Demand Side Response isolation because of roads, development, inappropriate land should not just be seen as FAVOURITE HOLIDAY management practices and unsuitable habitat,” said Angus an emergency back-up Dubai. The DESTINATION crisis measure in cold sights, beaches and food are Hunter, the city council’s winters but as a routine out of this world. biodiversity offi cer. way of helping to balance Chris Plester, National supply and demand, says IDEAL DINNER GUEST Grid environmental The one and only David Beckham National Grid, which (Victoria could come too if she advisor, said: “The project has launched an initiative treated me to one of her bags!). is an example of our called Power Responsive collaborative approach to encourage more companies to get involved. TOP OF BUCKET LIST to managing power line To visit Renaissance Island, Aruba, and feed fl amingos on the beach. corridors to create a For the full story visit natural grid of better gridline.nationalgrid.com and bigger habitats.” 04 AUTUMN 2016 GRIDLINE GridlineAut_p04-05_News_v4.indd 2 15/09/2016 14:44 Building fi rm foundations Strengthening work is taking place on an embankment of the River Mersey after soil erosion started to threaten the foundations of an electricity pylon, originally constructed in the 1960s. Project engineer David Woodcock said: “These works are a precautionary measure to protect the pylon and the line from any future problems.