• New wood pole overhead line needed to facilitate and support growth across North Shropshire
• Communities have important role in developing the route of the line
• Consultation open from 29th June to 09th September 2016

SP Energy Networks is seeking community feedback on its proposals to invest £18 million to enhance the electricity network across North Shropshire. This investment will see a new 132,000 volt overhead wooden pole power line built between Oswestry and Wem.

The new power line will provide additional capacity in the region to support business investment and new residential developments across North Shropshire. The proposal is to build a new line between Oswestry substation, located at the A5/A495 roundabout, and Wem substation, located on Ellesmere Road on the western side of Wem.

After investigating a number of options for reinforcing the network, SP Energy Networks proposes that a new 132,000 volt wooden pole line is the most appropriate solution. The company plans to build the new overhead line using a wood pole Trident design. This is a tried and tested design, constructed most recently for reinforcing the electricity distribution network between Legacy substation and Oswestry substation.

Mark Sobczak, Head of 132kV Programmes at SP Energy Networks, said: “This is one of the most significant upgrades to the electricity network ever proposed for North Shropshire. We want to ensure that the network is modern, reliable and capable of supporting opportunities for future growth.

“In order to find the most suitable route for the new line, we want to encourage feedback from as many people in the local communities as possible.  We have already carried out a considerable amount of investigatory work to look at and consider the location of communities, heritage features and sensitive areas. These investigations have allowed us to develop a number of potential routes that seek to either avoid or mitigate impacts on these areas.

“We now wish to open up the initial consultation period in order to enable people living in the area to have their say about our proposals.  All of the feedback we receive will be taken in to account.”

Councillor Steve Charmley, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Business and Economy, said: “These proposals are good news. Shropshire Council has been pressing for investment in North Shropshire infrastructure, including Whitchurch, for a number of years. With the new homes and employment sites proposed, we are going to need the extra power. The North Shropshire reinforcement project will help our area realise its economic ambitions and ensure that we continue to enjoy a reliable electricity supply.”

The consultation events proposed by SP Energy Networks include:

The technical documents and maps that provide information on the proposals are available at www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/north_shropshire and at the following locations: