OREANDA-NEWS. National Grid will soon begin to replace electricity cables and carry out vital maintenance work on the overhead line between Botley Wood and Lovedean.

Preparations for the work are well underway with vegetation around pylons being cut back if required and temporary access tracks being installed where needed to give access to the pylons.

Engineers will soon be putting up scaffolding and nets at points along the line enabling work to be carried out while the roads below remain open. The installation of these will not require any road closures but temporary traffic lights will be used for short periods to allow the nets to be safely put up and taken down.

Periodic closures of eight footpaths - agreed with Hampshire County Council - will be implemented to protect the public and workers. The closures will be clearly signposted and implemented only when needed and are expected to take place in July and August.

Project manager Carl Davies said: “This vital work will help ensure the lights stay on and people keep on enjoying safe and reliable electricity supplies.”

Work is scheduled to take place between July and November 2014.

The work will not result in any interruption of local power supplies.