On Tuesday engineers from Electricity North West, the region’s power network operator, started to remove 1.7km of overhead power lines and 15 electricity poles which have been in place for more than 60 years.

Working closely with the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership, by the end of the project engineers will have removed in total 2.6km of overhead power lines and 40 electricity poles from the local area across three projects costing £358,000.

Paul McGonigle, programme delivery manager for Electricity North West, said: “Removing these power lines will create an uninterrupted view of the beautiful landscape which will be enjoyed by local residents and visitors alike for many years.

“We’re delighted to be starting the final project in the area and we will continue our successful partnership with the North Pennines AONB Partnership to bring further benefits to the local community.”

Simon Wilson, planning and strategic access officer for the North Pennines AONB Partnership, said: “We are delighted to see continued improvement in landscape quality delivered through the electricity cable undergrounding project. These schemes make a significant and lasting improvement to the natural beauty of the area.”

To allow engineers to carry out the work safely a temporary road closure of the B6294 between the junction of the A686 to the junction of The Loaning will be in place from the 4th July. Advance warning signs and a diversion route will be clearly signposted.

To view more photographs from the area visit our Facebook page and to read more about the work Electricity North West does across the North West visit the news page here.