The public is being given the chance to nominate unsightly power lines in Courier Country beauty spots they would like to see go underground.
Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SHEPD) has launched a six month consultation to identify 48km of its overhead distribution network in national parks and national scenic areas that can be undergrounded.
The £5.5 million project will give the public, authority groups and charities the chance to nominate overhead line sections, normally carried on wooden poles, within SHEPD’s network areas which they would like to see disappear underground.
SHEPD is responsible for maintaining the electricity networks supplying around 750,000 homes and businesses in the north of Scotland, the Highlands and Islands.
Among the Courier Country areas under consideration are the River Tay, Loch Tummel and River Earn along with Loch Rannoch and Glen Lyon.
SHEPD will work with a variety of planning offices with responsibility for national parks and national scenic areas to help it compare and prioritise the nominated sections.
The cost to underground the overhead sections can vary due to the voltage, length of circuit and geography and these will be considered when selecting the final areas.
Stakeholder Engagement Manager with SEPD, Kirstine Wood said: “We want our customers to play an important role in deciding which areas we consider for undergrounding. Overhead power lines are vital to ensure a safe, reliable and cost effective electricity network.
“However, we understand people feel they can have a detrimental impact on the views of the natural environment. To help address this concern we are launching a programme of undergrounding overhead lines in National Parks and National Scenic Areas.
“Undergrounding overhead lines is expensive and can often cause more damage to the environment than wooden poles or towers.
“Therefore we have to carefully consider each nominated area, work closely with other utilities, landowners and public bodies to plan and identify the best areas where we can do the work.”
To nominate a form needs to be completed on SHEPD’s website. Submissions will require a photograph of the suggested area to show the current impact the overhead line causes.