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Hinkley Point C Connection
Our transport planning teams provided services for National Grid, on a significant electrical connection project in the South West of England.
Energy - The South, England
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Project Overview
Curtins were appointed by National Grid to provide traffic and transport services in relation to their nationally significant electrical connection project in the south west of England.
The project involved the removal of 65km of existing 132kV overhead line between Bridgwater and Avonmouth substations and put up 47km of 400kV overhead line. Some 8km of the new connection will be underground either side of the Mendip Hills ANOB with a further 8km of 132kV overhead line from Nailsea to Portishead substation would also be put underground.
Curtins input into to the project which involved producing Environmental Statement Chapters, Transport Assessments and Construction Traffic Management Plans.
We also provided support to National Grid throughout the Development Consent Order Application including acting as an Expert Witness for highways and transport at the project’s issue specific planning hearings.
The Challenge
Routing the electrical connection through the environmentally sensitive Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) posed risks to landscape integrity and required careful planning to minimise ecological and visual impact.
Our Solution
Curtins addressed this by supporting underground installation of approximately 8km of the new connection on either side of the AONB. Their work - including environmental assessments, traffic planning, and expert witness testimony - ensured the project met regulatory standards while protecting the natural landscape.
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