Questions and answers

London Cable Decommissioning - Canal Towpath works

About the project What are the benefits of these works? By removing the oil filled cables we will Why is National Grid doing this work and significantly reduce the cables’ impact on the why is it needed? local environment. Once the project is complete, we will not need to return to the area in the future The canal towpath works are part of National to carry out maintenance work or repair any Grid’s London Cable Decommissioning scheme faults, which is good news. - an investment of £20 million to remove old Additionally, we will be upgrading the towpath electricity cables between Tottenham and St surface and where possible, widening the Johns Wood, St John’s Wood and Willesden and towpath to a minimum width of two metres which Willesden and Wimbledon. These are no longer will benefit people who use the area. needed to supply electricity in London. The cables, which have reached the end of Who is carrying out these works? their useful life, are being replaced by the now These works will be carried on behalf of National operational London Power Tunnels project (LPT), Grid by utility contractors O’Connor Utilities a new network of electricity cable tunnels in the Ltd (OCU). Capital. LPT was commissioned in 2018 and opened by HRH the Prince of Wales.

What permissions do National Grid The Canal Towpath have to do the work? works Under the Electricity Act 1989, National Grid is responsible for maintaining a safe, reliable and How long will the works on the canal be secure electricity network. This includes essential going on for? works like these cable decommissioning works. The work along the canal towpath will be carried out in phases over the next couple of years. The When is the overall project due to be first phase will start onMonday 20 July until completed by? Friday 6 November. We are currently planning The decommissioning project started in March 2020 the further phases and we will update you once and the entire programme will take approximately details are confirmed. two years to complete. The works along the canal towpaths will be Is there anything happening ahead of the carried out in phases, with the first phase taking works starting on 20th July? place between July and November this year. Our team will be doing survey works ahead of Please see The Canal Towpath Works section for the 20 July but this will not affect the canal more detail. towpath or boats. What works will be carried out along How will I be affected whilst the works the canals? take place? There is a section of cable, approximately 7 km, Please be assured we will do all we can to that runs along the Regent’s Canal towpath which minimise any disruption. We will need to close the we will need to dig up and remove, along with towpath while we remove the cables and you may any equipment associated with the cables. We notice some noise while we dig the ground to will also need to install oil drain pits along the remove the cables. route so we can remove any residual oil left from the cables.

Where will the works take place on Keeping you informed the canal? Will you keep me updated about the works? The works will start on the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal at Old Oak Lane, gradually We promise to keep you updated about the working two kilometres east towards Scrubs works. We have our community relations (CR) Lane, however, due to limited space and access team in place who will keep in touch with you along the path we will need to close the entire by letter and by our freephone CR number and section. There will be a temporary diversion along email. We are also working closely with the Canal Tubbs Road and Harrow Road. & River Trust to keep boaters and people who use the area informed via their channels including Will this affect power supply in local areas? their website, newsletter and social media channels. There will be no impact on local supplies. How can I find out more about the works? What will your working hours be? If you have any questions or concerns, please Our working hours will be 7am and 6pm contact our CR team on 0800 161 5035. Monday – Friday, and also 7am and 6pm on This line is open between 9am and 5:30pm, Saturdays, if needed. Monday – Friday. You can also email the team at [email protected]. Will you be closing any towpaths? Please be assured that National Grid are working For the safety of the public and our workers closely with the Canal & River Trust to minimise some temporary towpath closures will be disruption where possible. needed. These closures have been agreed with the Canal & River Trust and will be There will also be updates on the Canal & River clearly communicated to the public using Trust’s website, at https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/ diversion signs. and their Facebook and Twitter pages.