Safety concerns raised after vehicle 'upturns' following pylon prep works

A Highland resident has raised safety concerns as work gets underway preparing for a huge pylon project.

Through a subcontractor, SSEN Transmission carried out ground investigation work last week near Beauly, but upon completion a vehicle upturned while travelling along a single track road.

Adam Giangrego, from Newtonhill, was initially confused as planning for powerlines between Beauly and Peterhead, part of the wider pathway to 2030 programme, has not yet been submitted.

However, we understand these works were carried out using Permitted Development rights available to SSEN Transmission.

Despite this, Adam hopes lessons can be learned from the incident which took place near his house.

SSEN Transmission have outlined how they'll "endeavour to deliver work safely, keeping local disruption and environmental impact to a minimum."

Work for pylons "needs to be done appropriately"

Adam explained how he came across workers clearing a wooded area behind his house last week.

He said: "I didn't think that any permission had been granted or submitted yet, and they said 'we don't know we're just sub contractors'.

"There was no signage so I ended up stumbling across quite close to the works, which I didn't feel was very safe.

"Unfortunately, the next day as they were moving some of that very heavy plant along the very small road they came off the edge of it, damaged the road and tipped the trailer and digger into the field next to our house."

While he's in favour of renewable energy overall, Adam feels work in securing a greener future must be done appropriately.

He added: "What I hope is that it's a wake up call for the council and SSEN Transmission to consider these points.

"As they move ahead, I think it's good they're going ahead with renewable energy.

"That's good for the UK, but it needs to be done appropriately."

Safety is "top priority"

SSEN Transmission confirmed nobody was injured during the incident involving a vehicle coming off the road.

A spokesperson said: "Ahead of our submission of our planning application for our proposed Beauly-Peterhead 400kV overhead line, we have been carrying out ground investigation works at some of the proposed tower locations for the project.

"This work follows on from engagement with affected landowners and is a necessary step in any new development - with the results helping to establish final tower foundation designs.

"Typically, ground investigation work involves drilling boreholes and/or digging trial pits, allowing engineers to understand the engineering properties of the soil and rock beneath potential tower locations and their ability to support the steel structures.

"On Friday, as machinery was being transported from the site following the completion of work, a vehicle upturned, landing on the verge of a single-track public road.

"Nobody was injured, and an investigation to determine the cause of the incident, and any impact upon local road or other infrastructure is underway.

"We'd like to assure members of the local community that, as we work to deliver the new critical national infrastructure that is required for Scotland and the UK to deliver on energy security and clean power targets, safety is our top priority, and we'll endeavour to deliver work safely, keeping local disruption and environmental impact to a minimum."