Eight km of power lines to be removed
Construction has started on a project to remove nearly 8km of overhead power lines and towers from a scenic beauty spot on the Highland Perthshire border.
SSEN Transmission teams are carrying out the works, which will involve removing a total of 7.8km of electrical lines, including 31 steel-lattice towers, between Killin substation and Lix Toll.
This includes removing the towers at the most prominent section above Killin and the Falls of Dochart, as well as those crossing the A827.
Instead the overhead lines will be replaced with underground cables, improving the“visual impact without compromising on the quality of crucial energy transmission in the area”.
The project is the fourth Visual Impact of Scottish Transmission Assets scheme – known as VISTA – carried out by SSEN Transmission to reduce the impact of its electricity transmission infrastructure in some of Scotland’s most precious landscapes.
The project is expected to be completed in spring 2023.
Project manager Alistair McDonald said:“We’re pleased that construction has now started on the new VISTA project between Killin and Lix Toll, which will enable us to deliver a project that offers a significant reduction in visual impact in one of Scotland’s most unique and important landscapes.
“The first phase for us is to begin preparing the site by upgrading existing access points along the route and construction of a temporary haul road.
“Then works will progress with the construction of a new temporary bridge crossing over the River Dochart, before we start installing new underground electricity cables along the planned route.
“We’ve been working with various stakeholders including the community for several years before reaching this point and their input has been invaluable in getting this project off the ground.
“We thank them for their continued support and understanding as we now begin construction on what we see as a really beneficial project.
“We’ll work to keep all stakeholders updated as the scheme progresses and will endeavour to do all we can to keep any disruption in the area to a minimum at all times.”