The magazine for National Grid grantors Winter 08

Bank on us How National Grid protects the landscape Heritage at risk Preserving the past for future Tall generations order Grantor’s unusual harvest feeds the giraffes at Chester Zoo

Also in this issue: tree management, inside a Sainsbury’s supply depot, win a weekend break

J2999Gridlinecover.indd 1 11/12/08 17:11:40 Contents 10-11

14-15

NATIONAL GRID’S LAND AND DEVELOPMENT GROUP NEWS is responsible for acquiring all rights and permissions from statutory authorities and landowners needed to install, operate and maintain 04 How National Grid is National Grid’s electricity and gas transmission networks. We act as sponsoring a community farm the main interface for landowners who have our gas and electricity enterprise in South Wales equipment installed on their land. Listed below are your local Land and 05 The pylons come down Development Team contacts. Please email any changes to your contact at the 2012 Olympic site details to [email protected] or fax to 01926 656574. FEATURES 06-09 ELECTRICITY AND GAS made on 0800 404090. Note the ■ North West and Scotland tower’s number – found just below 06-09 A former colliery at PROFILES 0161 776 0706 the property plate – to help crews Chatterley Whitfield near Stoke ■ South East 01268 642091 locate it. is one of 6,000 protected ■ South West 01452 316059 ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC 18-19 How grantor Huw heritage sites at high risk ■ East 0113 290 8236 FIELDS Rowlands provides willow for 14-15 How gas pipeline WAYLEAVE PAYMENTS ■ For information on electric hungry giraffes at Chester Zoo project teams reinstate valued ■ For information on wayleave and magnetic fields, call the EMF landscape features like dry payments, telephone the payments information line on 08457 023270 stone walls and Devon Banks LAST WORD helpline on 0800 389 5113. (local call rate). 16-17 A glimpse inside ELECTRICITY EMERGENCIES Website: www.emfs.info the giant Sainsbury’s Retail 20 Enter our competitions ■ Emergency calls to report pylon GAS EMERGENCY Distribution Centre at Ham’s to win a Sony Handycam damage to National Grid can be ■ 0800 111999. Hall, near Coleshill and a weekend away for two

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J2999Gridlinepg2-3.indd 1 11/12/08 17:16:06 GOT A STORY? TEL: 01926 654 958 or email [email protected]. com. Or write to Gridline, Summersault, 23-25 Waterloo Place, Warwick St, Leamington Welcome to Spa, Warwickshire CV32 5LA. 18-19 A very warm welcome to the Winter issue of Gridline – and on NORMAN’S LUCK TAKES A behalf of the whole Land & Development team I would also TURN FOR THE BETTER like to take this opportunity to wish you all season’s greetings Congratulations to Norman and a Prosperous New Year. Jenkins of Tal-y-fan Farm, On page 6 our special feature focuses on the Heritage at Risk Ystradowen, Cowbridge, in South Register which lists thousands of scheduled sites which English Glamorgan, who is the winner of Heritage say are at risk of crumbling away from the passage of our digital camera competition in the last issue of Gridline. time or, in some cases, neglect. “I often enter competitions but Industrial structures are often particularly challenging in terms of finding a am never normally lucky,” said sustainable future which also preserves the heritage of the site for future generations. Norman, who manages a herd of We take a closer look at the £70 million regeneration project to transform Chatterley purebred Aberdeen Angus cows Whitfield colliery in North Staffordshire – the most complete collection of pithead on 360 acres of grassland in the Vale of Glamorgan. structures and buildings in England. “I’ve been thinking of getting The urban theme continues on page 10 with an insight into a very modern into digital photography for commercial operation. The huge Hams Hall distribution centre – another National a while and so winning this Grid grantor – enables Sainsbury’s to keep the shelves of 70 of its stores constantly re- competition has been a really stocked with fresh produce round-the-clock. pleasant surprise. Two articles in this issue look at aspects of National Grid’s environmental policy. On page 14 we see how gas pipeline project teams use skilled local craftsmen to WE WANT TO HEAR reinstate historic landscape features like the distinctive Devon Banks and dry stone FROM YOU walls when work is completed. Please contact us if: And on page 16 we look at National Grid’s vegetation management policy. It has ■ You have any news of interest to other grantors always been the company’s duty to maintain minimum safety distances between trees ■ You have a hobby or business and overhead power lines, but new legislation is about to place even more emphasis which would make a good profile on measures to ensure network security in the event of extreme weather. ■ You would like to comment on Turn to page 18 to read about Cheshire farmer Huw Rowlands who, as part of anything in the magazine. a wide-ranging wetland conservation programme on the farm, coppices willow Phone 01926 654 948 or email branches which are being fed to giraffes at Chester Zoo. [email protected]. Finally, don’t forget to enter our competition on page 20 for a chance to win a weekend away for two. Gridline is produced by Summersault Communications, 23-25 Waterloo Place, Warwick St, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32 5LA. Editor, Gridline

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J2999Gridlinepg2-3.indd 2 11/12/08 17:16:46 UPDATE Key stories from National Grid and its nationwide grantor network

Pulling out all the stops for endangered species Special mitigation measures were adopted to the spread of the larger, more aggressive when rare white-clawed crayfish were found in North American signal crayfish, which is also streams during an underground cable project the carrier of a fungus that has devastating from Hutton to Oxenholme in Cumbria. consequences for the native species.” “White-clawed crayfish are typically found in On advice from the Environment Agency, the clean, limestone streams,” said James Streets, the Electricity Alliance East team built dams and project’s ecologist, who relocated any discovered temporarily diverted streams around the works. near the trench zone to safer areas. Soil and pebbles were replaced to ensure that “They have declined in the last 30 years due there was no habitat loss (see page 12).

TEAM EFFORT: The lands officers prepare to put in the new fencing Park gets a facelift

A team from National Grid’s Land and Development East region rolled up their sleeves to help create a sensory garden at Tyneside Riverside Country Park in Newburn, Newcastle, as a goodwill gesture after essential works caused TRIUMPH: Community members with Martin Kinsey, Stephen Crabb and Welsh Assembly Member Paul Davies some temporary disruption for the park’s visitors. Five pylons in the 160-acre park Farm scheme bears fruit were affected by refurbishment of the overhead line from Eccles, in reseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Set up in November 2007, the farm produces Scotland, to Stella West, Newcastle. Crabb has been down on the farm to a wealth of plants and vegetables, which are During the team day the lands see the results of a three-year funding now sold to the Estate’s residents. An outdoor officers delivered timber and P partnership between National Grid classroom operates twice a week for year 10 and installed new fencing. National and the Mount Community Association in 11 schoolchildren, who use the farm for outdoor Grid is also funding the planting of Milford Haven. curriculum activities, and there is a weekly new trees to replace those cut when Visiting the Mount’s farm at Llanstadwell, the children’s gardening club where youngsters can access roads were put in. minister met three part-time employees who learn about where their food comes from. “We have come to expect a high have gained jobs through the New Deal Scheme “Supporting local projects such as this is our standard of reinstatement from thanks to National Grid’s support. A further way of saying ‘thank you’ to the community National Grid and we haven’t been six jobs have also been created at the Mount for its understanding during the construction disappointed yet,” said park ranger Community Association, three of which have of the Milford Haven gas pipeline project,” said Gillian Brown. gone to Mount Estate residents. National Grid project manager Martin Kinsey.

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J2999GRIDLINEPG4-5.indd 1 11/12/08 17:18:15 DVD is a fund of information on hedges

Gridline has copies of a DVD about hedge management for the first 100 grantors to contact us. According to Natural England, hedgerows are the ‘service stations’ of the countryside and play a key role in supporting a variety of wildlife. MILESTONE: (below left to right) Cirl buntings, tree Vincent de Rivaz, EDF sparrows, dormice and Energy chief executive; Nick bats are just some of the Winser, executive director National Grid; David Higgins, chief executive species that need hedges of the Olympic Delivery Authority to nest in or for their food (ODA); Lord Coe, chairman of the supply. London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games & Paralympic Entitled A Cut above the Games (LOCOG); Rt Hon Tessa Rest the 25-minute DVD Jowell MP, Minister for the has been produced by an Olympics alliance of organisations who have got together to promote essential Going, going gone hedgerow management – including Natural he project to underground England, the National National Grid’s electricity Hedgelaying Society, the supplies running across the Campaign to Protect T 2012 Olympic Games site is Rural England (CPRE), due to complete in December with the the RSPB, the Tree dismantling of all 29 pylons on the now Council and Defra. redundant 275kV overhead line between To be in with a chance Hackney and West Ham substations. of obtaining your free The second circuit in National Grid’s copy of this DVD, send 6km underground cable tunnel was your name and address electrified in September. In open parkland and other spaces to: Gridline DVD “Pylon removal started on 29 September – including a golf course – a number of offer, c/o Summersault as scheduled more than three years ago,” pylons were felled in a controlled manner. Communications, 23-25 said Owen Keith, National Grid’s Olympic After the rear supports were cut through Waterloo Place, Warwick senior project manager. and the front legs partially severed, the Street, Leamington Spa, The National Grid pylons, each up to 60 pylons were pulled over using cables Warwickshire CV32 5LA metres high, were removed over a three- attached to tractor units. or, alternatively, email month period, focusing first on areas such In other more restricted locations the [email protected]. as the Olympic Village where ongoing pylons were dismantled in sections using construction is concentrated. 200-tonne cranes.

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J2999GRIDLINEPG4-5.indd 2 11/12/08 17:18:33 FEATURE Echoes from thepast

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J2999Gridlinepg6-9.indd 1 11/12/08 17:21:47 A former colliery in North Staffordshire, which has been referred to as the ‘Stonehenge of the industrial revolution’, is among thousands of scheduled monuments at risk from neglect and decay

ith its towering it intends to include conservation brick chimney and areas, listed places of worship and huge pithead wheels Grade II listed buildings. Woutlined against the Scheduled monuments include sky, the distant view of Chatterley some of the nation’s most valued Whitfi eld Colliery on the north- archaeological sites and landscapes eastern outskirts of Stoke-on-Trent – prehistoric burial mounds, is certainly impressive. stone circles, castles and abbeys Closer up, however, the rusting – as well as more recent military metalwork, broken windows and and industrial sites like Chatterley derelict buildings make it clear Whitfi eld colliery. that the glory days of this former “Th e site is the most complete coalmine have long since gone. example of a deep mined pit in Th e colliery is one of nearly 6,000 England with a variety of pithead threatened sites on a Heritage at buildings which illustrate the history Risk Register compiled by English of coal mining from the 1840s right Heritage, the national body charged through to the 1970s,” said Andrew by the government with the role of Patterson of English Heritage. caring for the historic environment. Th e colliery fed the voracious Earlier this year it reported that of appetite of North Staff ordshire’s iron the 70,000 protected heritage sites and potteries industry throughout assessed so far 1 in 12 is at high risk the 19th century. At its height in the from neglect, decay or inappropriate late 1930s it employed 4,000 miners development. Pooling data on a and was the fi rst colliery to produce register enables experts to see the 1 million tonnes of saleable coal in a big picture for the fi rst time and to single year. prioritise actions that need taking. Th e mine’s fortunes changed “In today’s fast-changing society aft er World War II as oil imports this heritage is arguably more increased and the coal industry important than ever, providing a contracted. Th e pit was nationalised sense of permanence and continuity, in 1947 and, aft er an initial period a focus for social cohesion and of investment, a decline set in which a sense of identity,” said Simon culminated with closure in 1976. Th urley, the chief executive of With the backing of the National English Heritage. Coal Board and the local authority, Th e Heritage at Risk Register the fi rst underground mining expands the organisation’s ‘buildings museum in the UK was established £70 million at risk’ listings which it has compiled at the site in 1979. But this, too, since 1998, by adding scheduled closed eventually in 1993. In the – the estimated cost of monuments and archaeology, same year the whole 18-acre site the regeneration project at registered historic landscapes, with its 34 buildings and structures Chatterley Whitfi eld parks, gardens, battlefi elds and even was designated a Scheduled shipwrecks. In the next year or two Monument by English Heritage.

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J2999Gridlinepg6-9.indd 2 11/12/08 17:22:29 FEATURE

ARE YOU THE OWNER OF A SCHEDULED MONUMENT OR LANDSCAPE AT HIGH RISK? UNITED FRONT: (left to right) Jim Worgan, Councillor English Heritage is contacting all owners Adrian Knapper and Andrew of scheduled monuments and historic Patterson landscapes at high risk to find out how it can best help them to repair the national treasures in their care. It also needs to The colliery is owned by the local authority ongoing maintenance. check that is has correct details for the next Register. (and National Grid grantor) Stoke-on-Trent “The whole Potteries conurbation is undergoing Sometimes restoration is minimal and City Council, which is working to find a future a multi-million pound transformation aimed at inexpensive and grants may be available for the site in partnership with English Heritage, bringing economic prosperity and new amenities from various sources for even minor works Advantage West Midlands, Joan Walley MP for to the area, while also protecting and bringing a such as removing bracken, or protecting Stoke-on-Trent North, national regeneration new sense of purpose to heritage sites like these.” against rabbits. For more significant agency English Partnerships and the community According to English Heritage the estimated projects English Heritage can help unlock action group, the Friends of Chatterley Whitfield. cost of regenerating the former colliery and its sources of funding, advise on the best As part of a phased regeneration plan, a new surrounding land is likely to exceed £70 million and most economical methods of repair access road to the colliery has been created and and it could take up to 10 years to complete. and, in some cases, encourage other the Grade 2 listed main offices building has been Last year the organisation committed £3 million organisations to become partners to the sympathetically restored and redeveloped as a towards future restoration of structures like the solution. community space and offices. massive Hesketh Heapstead winding gear and the To arrange a visit or ask for more information contact your nearest English Work starts early next year on transforming Art Deco pithead baths, where up to 2,000 men at Heritage regional office. Details at: the 50-hectare area surrounding the colliery a time could shower after coming off shift. www.english-heritage.org.uk/contactus – including the former spoil heap – into a “When constructed in 1938 the baths marked recreational country park funded by an £8 million an important shift in social attitudes to employees,” grant from the National Coalfields Programme. said ex-NCB senior administrative officer Jim “As the custodians of Chatterley Whitfield we Worgan, who was the museum’s curator for to see some sort of museum devoted to the have a duty to find a sustainable future for the site,” four years, and is today chair of the Friends of history of coal mining in the area. said Councillor Adrian Knapper, Stoke-on-Trent Chatterley Whitfield. “Even then the miners had to “The buildings and structures tell a very City Council portfolio holder for regeneration. pay sixpence a week for the right to use them until human story about the people who worked “We have already demonstrated how some of nationalisation nine years later.” here which must be preserved for future the buildings can be brought back into use in With the majority of the colliery in a derelict generations. Once these monuments to our a way which creates jobs and adds value to the state for 34 years, Jim fully accepts that restoring industrial past are gone, they’re gone, and community, while also generating revenue for the whole site is impossible, but he would still like they can’t be brought back.”

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J2999Gridlinepg6-9.indd 3 11/12/08 17:23:04 EXPERT VIEW Q&A MONUMENTAL CHALLENGE The Heritage at Risk Register highlights scheduled monuments and historic landscapes as being particularly vulnerable to neglect and decay. Dr Vince Holyoak of English Heritage explores some of the issues

Q What are scheduled Q Are scheduled monuments to act as a working tool to help monuments? particularly at risk? define the scale of the problem A. There are almost 20,000 A Yes, one in five scheduled and prioritise actions. scheduled monuments monuments is designated high risk Q How damaging is nationally. They are our most – more than listed buildings. But the ploughing? valued, nationally important primary cause of damage and decay A Surveys in 2003 showed that archaeological sites and structures, is a lack of day-to-day management. in Essex, for example, fewer than and protection through Q Why is this so? 10 of the 1,200 recorded burial scheduling can only be conferred A Monuments are particularly mounds survived above ground. by the Secretary of State on advice threatened because they are often Intensive farming methods since from English Heritage. situated in an environment where the war have accelerated the Q What’s the purpose of the land use is incompatible with damage. Stopping cultivation and Heritage at Risk Register? their survival without positive returning the site to pasture is A Our ambition is to compile management action. And while one solution, but isn’t always the a kind of Domesday Book of buildings generally have some answer because rabbits and scrub the condition of our traditional economic value to their owner could take over. buildings, the landscapes and the – particularly when capable of re- Q What’s the solution? ancient monuments which are use – ancient monuments tend to be Our ambition is to A We’re also doing research into testimony to the lives of earlier of little direct economic benefit and compile a kind of other possibilities, including generations. We want to create so are more likely to be neglected. Domesday Book reducing the depth of cultivation. a definitive record showing how Q How does listing help? of the condition Above all, we’re keen to many sites are under threat, A The Register seeks to evaluate the encourage entry into things like where, what from and what we condition of monuments and the of our traditional Natural England’s Environmental can do about it. extent to which they are at risk, and landscapes and Stewardship scheme, which takes Q What are the most to establish priorities for action and ancient monuments a balanced approach not just common threats to management. Through its ranking to solving the initial problem, heritage? of threats to protected heritage sites but also to the longer-term A There are many threats. it provides an action plan for dealing management of such features. They include ploughing, scrub with the most urgent cases. It also Q What advice is available? and tree growth, lack of funds, identifies the kind of threat faced by A English Heritage provides burrowing animals, inappropriate particular types of heritage, which online advice to landowners development, vandalism and helps to establish solutions which and other site managers via the natural erosion. Some of these can be commonly applied. Historic Environment Local problems may be easy to solve Q Is the Register a ‘naming Management website: www. – for example clearing scrub and shaming’ exercise? helm.org.uk. Advice may also be around a medieval hall – but A Inclusion in our listings implies sought from our environment others require the efforts of a wide no criticism of the owner, many of field advisors or the network range of people working together, whom we know are actively seeking of local authority historic to find a new use for a building ways to secure their future. Our aim environment countryside perhaps, or to carry out major is simply to keep attention focused advisors that we co-sponsor restoration works. on these sites, and for the Register within local authorities.

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J2999Gridlinepg6-9.indd 4 11/12/08 17:23:34 FEATURE Food Moveon the Gridline goes behind the scenes at one of the UK’s busiest retail distribution centres, where trucks arrive and depart every two to five minutes

ainsbury’s Regional Distribution Centre (RDC) on the Hams Hall industrial park, near Coleshill, was Sestablished in 2002 on a site which was once Europe’s largest power station until it was demolished some 15 years ago. Reminders of the area’s past as a generating hub remain in the shape of National Grid’s ROUND THE CLOCK: The substation and the lines of pylons which still facility operates 24 hours a criss-cross the landscape – including one day, 364 days a year located within the perimeter of the Regional Distribution Centre itself. The Hams Hall RDC operates 24 hours a day, 364 days a year, serving 72 stores in the region. Long gone are the days when distribution It distributes fast-moving goods (non-perishable centres were warehouses holding large amounts items known as ‘ambient’ products), chilled of stock. “Just-in-time is now the norm with (temperature controlled foods like ready meals), products coming into the RDC and out again produce (fruit and vegetables) and cut flowers. within a 12-hour timeframe,” explained Julie Slow-moving lines (electricals and clothes etc) Warner, communications coordinator at the site. and frozen foods have their own distribution From an order being placed to delivery takes depots in strategic locations. only 24 hours and in the lead-up to Christmas Around 1,200 people work at the 700,000 around 2.2 million cases of products are supplied square-foot facility. Very much a self-contained each week to stores. Trucks arrive and depart community, the workforce has access to an open from Hams Hall on average every two to five learning centre, prayer room, rest rooms, canteen minutes, loading and unloading at a total of 167 and even a gym. dock doors on both sides of the building.

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J2999 Gridline5pg10-11.indd 1 11/12/08 17:24:16 IT’S A FACT ● Vehicles arrive/depart every two to five minutes ● The depot handles 3,500 product lines ● It can hold 1 billion soft drink cans ● The site circuit is approximately a mile long ● 15 football pitches could be fitted into the work area ● The sorter conveyor can transport 23,000 DRIVING SEAT: Transport manager Adrian Fraser looks cases an hour after a fleet of 200 trailers

WAGONS ROLL “Chilled produce is usually delivered overnight so that it is in the store first thing next morning,” said Adrian Fraser, transport manager. “Non-perishable deliveries follow through the day. “The transport fleet includes around 93 tractor units and 200 trailers. Almost all our 265 drivers are Sainsbury’s employees. They clock up around 250,000 kilometres a week, consuming approximately 64,000 litres of diesel. That’s enough to go round the world 1.5 times a week. “Health and safety is an absolute priority at Sainsbury’s. It’s part of my job to strictly monitor drivers’ hours and rest periods. Drivers can be fined up to £2,500 for tachograph infringements and as transport manager I can be fined the same amount – and could technically even end up in prison.”

The supplier sends an electronic Advanced other hand, is highly automated. products for all the intended store deliveries,” Shipped Notice to the Regional Distribution Pallets are delivered straight into a special said Julie. “The system delivers the items to the Centre on the day of delivery and is assigned a multi-storey buffer zone which is kept at a marshalling points so that the cages are packed docking location and a time of arrival. To avoid constant temperature between 0.5C and 1C. in a store-friendly manner. Items are placed congestion, deliveries are expected to be on When enough product is ready, automatic together, for example, that are shelved close to time or within half an hour either side of the handling equipment sends the pallets to 32 strip each other on the shop floor.” scheduled docking time slot. stations where the cases are unloaded manually Planning permission is currently being sought On a typical day suppliers start supplying on to conveyor belts. for a two-megawatt wind farm at the site, which chilled products at about 3am, with the intensity On their journey through the sorter conveyor would be sufficient to meet around 20 per cent of of deliveries building as the hours pass. the items are read by barcode scanners which the facility’s entire electricity needs. Non-perishable products are picked manually automatically route each case to one of 180 “Assuming that the project gets the go-ahead, using wireless wrist ‘watches’ instead of paper chutes for dispatch to individual stores. power generation might be coming back to the lists. The chilled food sorting operation, on the “The idea is to run successive waves of similar Hams Hall site after all,” said Julie.

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J2999 Gridline5pg10-11.indd 2 12/12/08 10:45:06 FEATURE Powerful connections National Grid is spending £3 billion a year until 2012 reinforcing and expanding its electricity and gas transmission networks to meet future energy needs

HUTTON TO OXENHOLME CABLE INSTALLATION

›› When: February to November 2008. ›› Why: The new underground electricity cable in Cumbria is part of a major upgrade CANTERBURY TO by Network Rail to the West Coast Main KEMSLEY OVERHEAD LINE Line rail service to enable the introduction REFURBISHMENT of new high-speed trains. ›› What: The new cable was laid over ›› When: December 2007 to September 2008. a 4.2km distance from National Grid’s ›› Why: A refurbishment of 86 pylons on the existing 400kV substation at Hutton 28km overhead power line between Canterbury to a new trackside feeder station being and Kemsley in Kent has been carried out. The largest wind farms when fully operational) constructed by Network Rail on land next works are part of a wider investment programme into National Grid’s overhead transmission to the rail line at Oxenholme station. to reinforce the electricity network across the network in 2011. ›› Lie of the land: “The extremely Thames Estuary, in preparation for the opening ›› Lie of the land: “Challenges included wet weather this summer and the marshy of the new BritNed Interconnector with the crossing motorways, railways and public and hilly nature of the terrain created Netherlands and various other projects. footpaths,” said Alan Lodge, Electricity considerable engineering challenges,” ›› What: A diversion involving three new Alliance East project manager. “A range of said Electricity Alliance East site delivery pylons has also been constructed to link up with measures were also taken to minimise our manager John Modlinksy. “We used open- a 400kV substation being built at Cleve Hill, in impact in the Swale Special Protection Area, cut digging techniques to pass underneath Graveney, North Kent. The new substation will the largest grazing marsh in Kent. Its dense protected hedgerows at a depth of three connect the planned London Array offshore population of invertebrates and algae beds is metres and mitigation measures were taken wind farm (set to be the one of the world’s a valuable feeding source for water birds.” where the cable crossed streams containing salmon, trout and white-clawed crayfish.”

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J2999 Gridline5pg12-13.indd 1 11/12/08 17:25:23 HEYSHAM RING OVERHEAD LINE REFURBISHMENT PROJECT

›› When: August 2007 to December 2009. ›› Why: Refurbishment is necessary for the overhead lines between National Grid’s substations at Hutton, Heysham, Penwortham and Stannah on the west coast of Lancashire – known as the Heysham Ring. The work will enable the company to better manage the flow of power throughout Britain and strengthen ›› What: During 2008 a total of 78 the network between England and Scotland to towers on the 104-kilometre Eccles allow new sources of renewable energy to be to Stella West overhead line were connected to the transmission infrastructure. refurbished. The remaining 218 will ›› What: Refurbishment of the transmission be completed in 2010. Work starts in line between Heysham, near Morecambe, and April 2009 on the 74 towers of the 26km Penwortham, near Preston, began in 2007 line between Blyth and Stella West and has now been completed. Further work substations. In 2010 the voltage on this between Penwortham and Hambleton and line will be upgraded from 275kV to Hambleton and Heysham begins in March NORTH EAST OVERHEAD LINE 400kV. As a result six pylons within the 2009. REFURBISHMENT PROJECT Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site will ›› Lie of the land: “Next year we will be be removed. making use of the SkySafe scaffoldless system ›› When: October 2007 to October 2010. ›› Lie of the land: “One tower of pulling new conductors into position at ›› Why: Overhead lines between Scottish directly straddles Hadrian’s Wall and road crossings and other locations, which Power’s substation at Eccles, near Coldstream, special consent from the Secretary will significantly reduce the need to access and National Grid’s substations at Blyth and of State was required to start work,” grantors’ land, and minimise disruption,” said Stella West, Newcastle upon Tyne, are being said Doug Gray, site delivery manager Dave Allcock, Electricity Alliance West project refurbished. Increasing transfer capacity between Electricity Alliance East. “Mitigation manager. The routes cross a number of Sites of Scotland and England will help prepare the measures to protect the site included Special Scientfic Interest (SSSI) including the network for the connection of renewable energy using a special plastic access roadway for Lune Estuary near Morecambe Bay, and the generation schemes in Scotland. plant and men and the use of scaffolding.” Wyre estuary – a Ramsar site and one of the largest intertidal estuarine flats in Britain.

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J2999 Gridline5pg12-13.indd 2 11/12/08 17:25:45 FEATURE

Keeping in character How National Grid protects and restores precious WORK OF ART: Project team member Tony hedgerow and dry stone wall landscape features Short surveys one of the completed walls during new gas pipeline construction projects

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J2999 Gridline5pg14-15.indd 1 12/12/08 10:47:31 CHAMPION: (below) Ilkley-based waller Philip Dolphin

hile National Grid is at pains to avoid sensitive environmental areas when it plans new gas W transmission pipeline projects, inevitably routes do sometimes pass through some of the most beautiful and unique specialist recognised by the Devon Skills Trust. landscapes in the United Kingdom. “On the Fishacre to Lyneham stretch of the “On completion the aim is always to reinstate pipeline up to 40 skilled wallers worked on the land to its original condition as soon as reinstating around 300 Devon Banks,” said Ian possible – and that includes features which give Sarson, National Grid’s senior project manager. an area its essential character like dry stone “We’ve used a new construction technique walls and hedgerows,” said Steve Yeoman, which greatly speeds up the restoration process. environmental advisor for construction at Bio-degradable hessian sacks are filled with National Grid. the local ‘gene pool’ soil preserved from the “By using skilled craftsmen to reinstate these original breach. These are placed in the interior important habitats for lichens and mosses, as features, and by planting new trees and carrying of the bank and become an integral part of well as insects and invertebrates. out other habitat improvement schemes, we the construction, with the roots later growing “We took on 21 self-employed dry stone can enhance the environment and improve through the material and interlocking with the wallers, most of whom were locally based,” said biodiversity close to pipelines,” he added. contents of other sacks,” he explained. Steve Ellison, National Grid project engineer. The 73km South West Gas Reinforcement The banks are then finished with a layer of Among those employed was Ilkley-based Project from Ilchester, Somerset, to Lyneham, jute sacking and another layer of soil. Into this Philip Dolphin, who in 1991 won the combined Devon, has involved crossing highly distinctive are planted native shrub species, including English and Scottish dry stone walling boundary features called Devon Banks. blackthorn, dogwood, hawthorn and holly. championships. Typically about 4-5ft high, these hand-built “After just two seasons, sections on earlier “The walls are usually about 4ft 6inches high earth banks have a wide base and sloping sides. stretches of the pipeline are already growing back and the width at the base is about twice as thick Faced in stone or turf, the banks are topped really well,” said Ian. as at the top,” said Philip. “Ironically most dry with hedge plants, giving country lanes their Two years ago National Grid began work on a stone walls are built in areas that are pretty wet characteristic high-sided appearance. new gas pipeline project from Pannal, Lancashire – such as Yorkshire and the Lake District. But The banks were originally built to contain to Nether Kellet in Yorkshire, passing through the principle is that the walls are built without livestock but also acted as boundary markers the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park in mortar, and knitted together by stones skilfully denoting the wealth and status of the landowner. two places. The project team reinstated a total of placed one on top of another so that they don’t Today they also play a vital role as a wildlife 362 dry stone walls during the construction. need a binding agent.” habitat for a wide range of plants and animals. Dry stone walls are integral to the economic On the completion of a project National National Grid’s project team has worked and social fabric of the Dales and surrounding Grid takes responsibility for any outstanding closely with Devon County Council and Natural area. Traditionally built to keep sheep in specific reinstatement issues. “We are fully committed to England, with the restoration carried out by fields, like the Devon Banks they have an historic working with grantors to rectify any problems,” skilled local labour under the supervision of a significance in the landscape and provide said Steve Yeoman.

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J2999 Gridline5pg14-15.indd 2 11/12/08 17:27:01 FEATURE

Maintaining sufficient clearance between overhead lines and trees is essential to ensure that even the worst weather conditions don’t interrupt power supplies When tree’s a loss of supply, a fire, or the tree conducting electricity to the ground. “The new legislation requires more consideration of so-called ‘side screen’ trees which run parallel to overhead lines and which could fall and interrupt power supplies in the a crowd event of a storm,” continued Steve. National Grid’s tree cutting programme has n October 2002 England and Wales were hit been co-ordinated by specialist contractor by a particularly severe storm with winds Fountains since 1999. Each year the company approaching 100mph. Although National surveys about half of the 22,000 spans (a section IGrid’s high voltage transmission lines were between two pylons) which make up National unaffected, around two million domestic Grid’s 7,208 kilometres of overhead line. Various customers suffered power cuts – and many of other checks are made on vegetation during the these outages were later attributed to trees or year by National Grid, including walking the line their branches falling on overhead lines. and helicopter patrols. Largely as a result of the lessons learnt in 2002, Using the survey information Fountains then new legislation comes into force next month prioritises its cutting plan for the year ahead placing a greater duty of care on National Grid (usually involving around 2,200 spans) focusing and the Distribution Network Operators (DNO) first on those trees nearest lines. to ensure network resilience in the event of “It’s not a matter of cutting or trimming extreme weather. everything that is within falling distance,” The company already spends millions of pointed out Tom Blackburn, Fountains service pounds each year on cutting back vegetation delivery manager. “Our surveyors use their underneath overhead lines in the interests of expertise to assess each case on its merits. public safety and to maintain the operational “In some cases, for example, the tree closest to integrity of the network. the line may pose less of a threat than one further “The aim is to remove vegetation to around away which is in worse condition or is a faster eight metres,” explained Steve Tinker, National growing species like willow or chestnut.” Grid’s overhead line delivery manager with lead A more detailed risk assessment is currently responsibility for vegetation management. “That being carried out by Fountains, starting with figure includes the minimum safety distance the most strategically important routes, which stipulated by the Energy Networks Association if disrupted would have the greatest impact on (ENA) and an estimated three years’ regrowth.” network integrity. If a tree branch gets too close to a line there’s Data from a variety of sources is analysed, also a danger of an electrical current arcing including, growth rates, altitude, the wind across resulting in a flashover which can cause speed and direction. This information helps to

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J2999 Gridline5pg16-17.indd 1 11/12/08 17:27:34 ELECTRICITY GRANTORS ● Contact National Grid if any part of a tree comes within about 15 metres of a power line pinpoint those higher risk spans which should be ● Only low-height slow-growing species should be surveyed first for tree health. planted underneath overhead lines “We use Global Positioning System (GPS) to ● National Grid asks landowners for permission to cut capture the position of a tree. The GPS position back woody vegetation to within about eight metres is then related to National Grid data to give the of a line exact maximum sag at that point,” said Tom. ● Before planting underneath a power line or within two “Sag can vary according to the type of metres of a pylon, contact your lands officer conductor, the length of span, loading and ● Access must be maintained to pylons so that future ambient air temperature.” maintenance can be carried out safely and without New ways of controlling vegetation growth damage to the habitat ● Don’t plant trees over or within three metres of an are also being examined. Integrated Vegetation underground electricity cable. Management (IVM) is the selective use of herbicide to inhibit the growth of woody GAS GRANTORS vegetation under or close to power lines. ● Before planting any tree written approval should be Once a low-growing shrub area is established obtained from National Grid it may only need to be treated once every ● For screening purposes or to indicate a field five years. Studies show that maintaining low boundary the planting of a hedge may be permitted, growing shrubs opens up the woodland floor to but only using shallow rooted specimens eg quick sunlight which is beneficial to flora and fauna. thorn or broom IVM maintains this ecosystem by preventing the ● Most types of tree should not be planted within six re-establishment of tall wood tree species. metres of the pipeline (10 metres in the case of poplar “Grantors and members of the public rightly and willow) value trees for many reasons – whether it’s ● Trees planted between 6-10 metres away from a pipeline should be individual specimens or a single because they are attractive, good for wildlife or row. No dense planting should be carried out within because they clean the air we breathe,” said Steve. 10 metres of the pipeline. “We aim for the best of both worlds. The priority is to safeguard the high voltage electricity TO FIND OUT MORE network but we’re also committed to protecting For more information contact your local lands officer or the environment in which we operate.” the Transmission Enquiries Team on 0800 731 2961.

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J2999 Gridline5pg16-17.indd 2 12/12/08 10:48:47 FEATURE Animal Magic Giraffes at Chester Zoo are among the beneficiaries of an enterprising scheme by a Cheshire grantor to create a wetland habitat for birds

uw Rowlands of Grange Farm, Instead the family turned to breeding native in Mickle Trafford, near Chester, English Red Poll cattle and today have a herd donates willow branches harvested of 70 animals. The breed originates from Hfrom the lush meadows on his East Anglia and so is well suited to the damp farmland adjoining the River Gowy to feed conditions encountered on the farm. Chester Zoo’s hungry herds of giraffes, The animals graze outdoors for most of the elephants and rhinoceros. year. After reaching maturity at three years of Supplying willow branches to the zoo is age they are butchered locally and a range of just one of a variety of initiatives taken under willow branches,” said Huw, who manages meat products – including cuts of meat, steak Natural England’s Higher Level Stewardship the farm with his father David. “When I pies and beef and mustard sausages – are sold Scheme, which Huw signed up to in explained we would probably burn them, direct from the farm. November last year. she said the zoo were always after that sort of To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Coppicing willow branches helps the trees thing to feed the animals. breed, the Rowlands have just introduced to produce repeated crops and prolongs their “I thought it was a wind-up at first, but a special Mercian Red Poll 200 beer in life, while opening up the site encourages she was serious. Now the head keeper Phil conjunction with a North Wales brewery. breeding birds like lapwings and redshank. Molyneux regularly visits the farm, cuts back “We asked John Wood, the brewer, to get as The idea to supply the willow to Chester the trees and transports branches back to the close as he could to the distinctive chestnut Zoo came about as a direct result of the farm’s zoo – the animals love them apparently.” colour of the Red Poll breed by adding extra efforts to help people enjoy greater access Three generations of the family have roasted barley which also gives the beer a to the countryside. Grange Farm regularly managed the 240-acre farm since Huw’s distinctive taste,” said Huw. hosts interested groups of people, as well as grandfather purchased it in 1947. Like many The Red Polls also play a conservation educational access visits, and maintains a farmers the Rowlands decided to quit dairy grazing role under the Higher Level network of permissive footpaths. farming in 2003 when milk prices fell to a Stewardship Scheme. “The cattle browse “On one of these occasions a visitor asked point where it no longer became a viable way rather than graze the meadows, creating what we intended to do with the coppiced to make a living. just the right height of grass to encourage

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J2999 Gridline5pg18-19.indd 1 11/12/08 17:30:28 HUNGRY CUSTOMERS: (above) Huw and Chester Zoo keeper Phil Molyneux feed the willow branches to the hungry giraffes

RARE: (above) Native breed Red Poll cattle from East Anglia play a key conservation grazing role on the farm

STEERING HAND: (right) Cheshire grantor Huw Rowlands who runs the farm in Mickle Trafford with his father David breeding wading birds,” said Huw. Earlier this year a giant American-made rotary ditcher, leased by the RSPB, visited Grange Farm to create a series of shallow ditches, pools and scrapes near the River Gowy to encourage birds like lapwing and redshank to feed and breed. The Rowlands for the farm through diversification, while have also provided havens for water voles and collaborating with conservation groups otters along the river bank and have taken and local businesses has become equally measures to reduce predators like mink. important,” said Huw. Other conservation measures include “For example, trainees from the British putting back traditional hedgerows to act as Trust of Conservation Volunteers, who are wildlife corridors and planting up areas with based at the nearby Trafford Mill, carry out pollen and nectar mixed seed to encourage valuable work restoring hedges on our land insects and small birds. Game crops provide under the scheme. Meanwhile our beef and larger birds with shelter and feed in winter. beer is also on sale locally at farm shops and “The Higher Level Stewardship scheme pubs and helps to boost the rural economy.” has been key in creating a sustainable future More information at: www.redpollbeef.eu.

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J2999 Gridline5pg18-19.indd 2 11/12/08 17:33:23 To contact Gridline : ✆ 01926 654 948 : [email protected] LAST WORD + 23-25 Waterloo Place, Warwick St, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32 5LA.

WATER, WATER, EVERYWHERE WIN A SUPERB Congratulations to Gay CAMCORDER Foster of Whitacre, Coleshill, Fed up at missing out on the winner of our last photo recording those memorable competition on the theme of moments? We have a ‘water’ with this striking image taken during an fabulous Sony Handycam to Arctic cruise trip give away. Th e Sony DCR-HC53E Mini DV Handycam has a 40x optical zoom, 2000x digital zoom, 2.5-inch touch screen LCD, USB connector and Super SteadyShot function. It has a 14-hour battery life and comes with a rechargeable battery pack, AC adaptor and editing soft ware. To be in with a chance of winning this Sony Handycam, simply answer the following question:

Q What is the battery life of the Sony Handycam? Win a weekend break Send your answer to The prize for our next photo competition is a relaxing break for Gridline Handycam competition, 23-25 two* courtesy of Britannia Hotels Waterloo Place, Warwick St, Leamington Spa, Th e lucky winner will be able to choose Warwickshire CV32 5LA. where to spend their two-night stay Note that you must be a (including breakfast) from 33 hotels in National Grid grantor to locations across the UK, from Aberdeen to enter this competition. Bournemouth. Closing date: 8 Feb 2009. Th e theme of our next photo competition is ‘the weather’. Just send in your selected photograph for a chance to win this fabulous

prize of a weekend hotel break. Send your images to Gridline photo WIN competition, 23-25 Waterloo Place, Warwick A SONY St, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32 HANDYCAM 5LA. Or email images to: [email protected]. Britannia Hotels has a range of great-value offers com. Closing date: 8 Feb 2009. at the moment, including a luxury Pamper Break, Please note only National Grid grantors three or four-night Entertainment Breaks and are eligible to enter this competition and, Airport Stopover, as well as one, two or three-night regrettably, prints cannot be returned. stays. To check the full range of offers or to book *Strictly subject to availability. visit www.britanniahotels.com

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