From Carbrook Mains the overhead line (OHL) will travel in a northerly direction passing east of Cowie before turning North West and crossing the A905 to the west of Fallin, it then runs north towards Manor Powis and the A907.
The landscape in this area is more open than the areas south of Plean and as a means of further visual mitigation a mixture of screen planting, broader landscape design, tower painting and the undergrounding of extensive sections of lower voltage OHL have been proposed. The mitigation measures proposed in specific locations are outlined within the Stirling Visual Impact Mitigation Scheme, submitted and approved in respect of Condition 19 of the OHL consent.
Work has commenced to install a number of access tracks providing construction access to the tower locations and working areas required to build the OHL. There has and will be an increase in activity in the area with teams of surveyors looking at sections of the project site or areas to be used for access. In addition, work has been undertaken recently to provide passing places, widen sections of public road and access from public roads to dedicated construction access tracks. This work is expected to be largely completed by the beginning of 2014. In tandem to the works above fencing contractors will be working at a number of sites to fence off working areas ensuring a safe environment for the works to be carried out.
The formation of construction access tracks and the creation of areas of improved public road seek to ensure that all workers, plant and materials move to and from the project site in a safe manner whilst ensuring minimum disturbance to the local area. These access tracks and improvements will, for the most part, be temporary features with land being restored and reinstated to a high standard.
What will be happening between Carbrook Mains (A9) and Manor Powis (A907) in 2014?
- Environmental and technical surveys will be carried out at tower locations and access track locations along the route of the line. This will involve small groups of professionals taking walking access or, where possible limited vehicular access to sites and performing a range of surveys, often utilising specialist surveying equipment.
- Fencing contractors will be taking vehicular access to sites along this section of the route for the construction of temporary wooden fencing which will demarcate site areas at or near tower locations. Site compounds or fenced off areas have been planned in consultation with Local Authority access officers to, where possible, prevent disturbance to public rights of way or core paths.
- The construction of dedicated construction access tracks, together with improvement to the public road network started in September 2013 will continue over the early part of 2014. These roads will be constructed in stone which will be transported to site in heavy goods vehicles. Access tracks, once constructed will allow vehicles and materials to be transported between sites while minimising disruption to other road users in the wider local area.
- Tower foundations will be installed by transporting concrete to site and pouring concrete bases upon which steel towers will be constructed in sections using a crane. It is intended that work on these bases and the erection of towers will begin from July 2014.