We are sharing final proposals for its new Galashiels to Eccles overhead line route with local residents this September.
The proposed electricity route will consolidate two existing lines of overhead cables between Galashiels and Eccles into one new route as the current lines are coming to the end of their operational life.
The final plan has been developed using feedback from the local community and stakeholders following earlier consultation.
The details of the proposed Galashiels to Eccles 132kV Overhead line (OHL) replacement project will be shared at a series of drop-in events across the communities.
The Galashiels to Eccles 132kV Replacement project drop-in events will be held at:
- 14.00-19.00 Tues 2 Sept Gordon Village Hall, Main St, Gordon
- 14.00-19.00 Wed 3 Sept Leitholm Village Hall, Main St, Leitholm,
- 14.00-19.00 Thurs 4 Sept Langlee Community Centre, Marigold Dr, Galashiels.
Members of the local community will be able to drop in during these times, see first-hand the plans for the project, meet the project team and ask any questions.
The delivery of the proposals will see 56km of wires carried on wood poles and steel lattice towers, replaced by a single line of steel lattice towers 30km in length.
It will also see the removal of around 120 poles and pylons, together with 26km of overhead lines between Galashiels and Eccles. The new route will improve resilience and reliability of electricity supply in the area.
Marlene Marimbe, Environmental Planning lead for the Gala-Eccles project, said:
“The community has been very engaged throughout the whole consultation process on this new, consolidated line. We wanted to share our final plans with them ahead of submitting our planning application next year.
“We’ve listened closely to the feedback and have adapted our plans for this preferred route to take these on board whilst always balancing this feedback with our responsibility to provide a resilient and reliable electricity network.
“We are grateful to everyone who has shared their views with and hope local people will take the time to come along and see our final plan.”
Find out more about the project on the dedicated web page