East coast electricity line engineers clock-up over 500 hours helping with community projects in Alyth

SSEN Transmission’s contractors working on the construction of overhead lines to the new Alyth substation have been lending a helping hand to the community by delivering a range of good-will projects in the area. 

Teams from Principal Contractor Balfour Beatty were able to ensure resource was available to swap their usual overhead-line tools for shovels, wheelbarrows and much more to help the community across a week of action held in October.

The Balfour Beatty team reached out to local community councils, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Perth & Kinross Countryside Trust, Alyth in Bloom and more to identify opportunities to make a difference to the communities in which they work, packing in a week of volunteering to positively impact local areas and contributing over 500 hours into community projects across a range of organisations and community groups.

Wet weather and wind didn’t hold teams back as they spent some time with Alyth in Bloom to plant flowers and transform the appearance of the village, including planting over 3,000 new daffodil bulbs ready for the spring. 

Meigle and Alder Community Council benefitted from hedge cutting, shed painting and infill of turf around Meigle Bowling Club, with hopes to turn the club into a popular community space. 

Teams also worked with Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust at Bamff Estate who are in the process of developing a rewilding project.  Teams were able to help contribute by removing redundant fencing in the estate, which will allow nature to take over and encourage their local beaver population to expand and the local ecosystem thrive.

Continuing with the theme of biodiversity, teams also worked with Scottish Wildlife Trust at Brerachan Meadow, a site of specific scientific interest (SSSI). As part of their Habitat Management Plan, the meadow was raked by the project wiring engineers, which has kept the nutrient level down to ensure there is another wildflower bloom to support bees and butterflies next year.

SSEN Transmission Lead Project Manager Archie Munro said: “As a responsible developer we have been working closely with the community since the early development stages to keep them informed about our project as it progresses, however it is important for us to give something back and leave a positive contribution to the local area in which we’re working in. 

“We’re pleased that teams from our Principal Contractor Balfour Beatty have been able to get involved and provide some assistance with projects which the whole community will be able to benefit from, as well as ones which promote and support biodiversity by enhancing the environment in the area. 

“As ever we thank the local community in Alyth and the surrounding area for their continued patience while we continue our work on the project, and we’ll ensure we keep them informed as the development progresses.”

Andrew Davison, Project Manager at Balfour Beatty, said:  “On our Alyth Contract it has been a pleasure for Balfour Beatty to assist the local community. Planting bulbs, renovating, turf infill and removal of fencing for a rewilding project all contributes to our sustainability goals. Always happy to help, especially for such rewarding causes.”

Rosemary Langston, Secretary for Alyth in Bloom, said:  “The Balfour Beatty volunteers were a great help and certainly did much of the spade work (literally!) for us.”

SSEN Transmission’s scheme at Alyth, includes the £86M development of the Alyth substation as well as a £12m programme of works to upgrade the associated overhead line network. The scheme is part of a wider project to upgrade the East Coast Transmission network, and once complete it will enable the connection of new renewable generation to the grid, helping to facilitate the transmission to net zero emissions.  The Alyth scheme is on course to be completed in winter 2023.