Pylon removal moving steadily forward
WORK by power supplier SSE to remove electricity pylons from land near Boat of Garten is progressing well this week, despite reports to the ‘Herald’ that problems had arisen between SSE and the RSPB.
The reports have been refuted by both the RSPB – on whose ground much of the work is taking place – and SSE.
A spokesperson for SSE said: "Work is currently ongoing near Boat of Garten, and has not been halted by the RSPB. From the outset, we have worked closely with the RSPB to ensure that our work is carried out sensitively. We are in ongoing discussions with them around certain aspects of the work, and we will continue to work with them until the towers have been successfully removed.
"As part of the ongoing work, we plan to use a helicopter to fly out all the towers that have been felled to date. This work is due to take place this week, dependent on weather conditions."
An RSPB spokesman said that the work was going well, with insulators and cables already removed and work beginning on the giant pylons themselves.
"SSE are having to use quite technical vehicles to get the material out, and have been preparing a helicopter landing area. The company has been in discussion with the RSPB and other landowners on every aspect of the removal, as one would expect.
"Everything is moving steadily forward, and we are keen to get the work done."
The permanent removal of the 132kV transmission line from Boat of Garten to Tarland was one of the conditions for the go-ahead of the new power line from Beauly to Denny. In total, 109 kilometres of existing overhead transmission lines in the Highlands and Perth and Kinross areas will be removed as part of the Beauly-Denny project.
The removal of the pylons through the Cairngrom National Park area began at the Lecht in October last year, and will continue until late 2012.
