A “GROUNDBREAKING” project to remove 22 pylons and 8.8km of overhead lines in Dorset has been completed.

The scheme, by Ofgem and National Grid’s Visual Impact Provision (VIP), was the first of its kind in the world to replace existing overhead high voltage electricity transmission infrastructure, which had been in place since the 1960s, solely to enhance the landscape.

Paul Hamnett, senior project manager for National Grid, said: “This is the culmination of years of complex engineering and construction work which would not have been possible without the dedication and expertise of the site team and the patience of the local community.

“Our goal has always been to enhance this beautiful landscape, and now we’re seeing the fruits of our labour with the fields we used for civil engineering works being reinstated and the successful removal of 8.8km of overhead cables and 22 pylons.”

BakerHicks provided detailed design and construction support to principal contractor and sister company, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, and cable supplier, Nexans.

Burying the cables underground was preferred as it was felt screening or camouflaging the towers would not have sufficient impact.

With the A35, a busy trunk road, to cross, BakerHicks’ engineers specified an innovative horizontal directional drilling (HDD) technique to take the cables under the road.

This removed the need for diversions or temporary road systems, ensuring minimal impact on the local community, which was a key concern throughout the project.

The routing of the cable system was also carefully designed to minimise impact on the area’s archaeological treasures and ecology, which includes a number of rare and protected flora.

The terrain of the South Dorset Ridgeway with its steep inclines and rocky outcrops presented a particular engineering challenge, not just in the undergrounding of the cables themselves, but in designing and constructing the infrastructure required.

Lucas Wille, director for power at BakerHicks, said: “This was a ground-breaking and highly complex project which required detailed knowledge of the technical challenges involved.”

She added: “It leaves a lasting legacy, enabling locals and tourists alike to enjoy the stunning scenery of the South Dorset Downs for generations to come.”