High-voltage investment

The National Grid has begun work on a £9m project to refurbish the high-voltage electricity line between Coventry and Enderby in Leicestershire.

Built in 1964, the 16-mile line passes through the villages of Bulkington, Huncote and Burbage and crosses the M69. Around 45 engineers will work to replace the fittings on the 72 pylons. The project expected to be complete by the end of the year.

The work will be carried out by the Electricity Alliance, a partnership between National Grid and 15 construction companies, including Babcock, Amec and Mott McDonald. According to the National Grid, electricity supplies to the area will not be affected during the upgrade.

Paul Devenish, Electricity Alliance West’s project manager, said: 'This project is part of National Grid's national maintenance programme and represents a substantial investment in the region's power network.

‘People expect to have electricity whenever, then want it just by flicking a switch and in order for us to meet that demand we have to keep the transmission network in first-class working order.