Cable decommissioning works for National Grid high voltage power line upgrade between Willesden and Kensal Green substations. Mooring suspensions will be in place as works progress along the route.
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Detail
| Type | Advice |
| Start Date | 5/20/2024, 6:00:00 AM |
| End Date | 11/1/2024, 6:00:00 PM |
| Start Location | Bridge 9D, Willesden Power Street |
| Ends Location | Kensal Green Visitor S1 Moorings |
| Towpath Closed | No |
Description
The towpath between Kensal green and Willesden is home to a critical portion of the regional power network. To accommodate growing energy needs in the area National Grid are undertaking an upgrade to the capacity of these cables. The upgrade will involve the replacement of roughly 3km of oil-insulated cable with a modern higher capacity and more environmentally safe plastic insulated alternative. The removal of the old cables will take place between the 20th of May 2024 and the beginning November 2024. The work will be undertaken by teams from Murphy Group who are technical specialists in this field.
The cable removal works will require lengths of the concrete duct covers that make up the towpath surface to be lifted. To ensure the towpath can remain open a floating pontoon will be used to redirect towpath visitors safely around the works. This pontoon will occupy the waterside adjacent to the towpath so will require a temporary suspension of moorings. The length of any individual pontoon and accompanying work boat will not exceed 150m at any one point on the length and each pontoon will be in place for an anticipated 2 weeks. The diversions via pontoon will require cyclists to dismount for their own and other visitor's safety but otherwise will not impact normal towpath use.
The works will begin with one team and associated pontoon but to reduce the risk of disruption to winter moorings this will increase to three separate teams by the latter stages of the works.
Mooring suspension notices will be issued for each individual length with sufficient notice before work there is due to commence.
Further information on the planned upgrade works is available here: https://www.nationalgrid.com/electricity-transmission/network-and-infrastructure/infrastructure-projects/willesden-kensal-green-connection.
(For our support and moorings team, see marked up maps provided, dates after 07/06 are indicative and may be subject to change with 2 weeks prior notice: National Grid suspension map markups)