Power lines set for upgrade to meet 'future demand'

Planning applications have been lodged with both Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin councils

Overhead power lines could be upgraded across Shropshire to reinforce the local electricity network and meet "new and future demand".

A number of planning applications have been lodged with both Shropshire Council and Telford and Wrekin Council to upgrade overhead wooden poles in the area to hold three lines.

National Grid Electricity Distribution said adding a third wire could "triple the power capacity" and support new connections and network resilience.

A spokesperson added some poles would be upgraded in their entirety as part of an annual plan.

"In rural areas, where the network can require significant upgrades to cater for new connections, and consists largely of two wires on wooden poles, planning permission is still required to add third wires to the existing infrastructure," they added.

"Again, this is network reinforcement to bolster resilience of the local electricity network – and to meet new and future demand."

Two planning applications, one for Talbot Fields off Roden Lane, and the second for Somerwood and Rodington, are currently going through the process of validation in Telford and Wrekin, with the maximum pole height proposed as 11.5m.

A number of plans are also being proposed or approved at Shropshire Council, including for 570m of wires at Leamoor Common, and other upgrades in Hamperley Haughton Crossroads in Upton Magna and Shrewsbury.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.