Electricity project team lend helping hand to Loch Lomond Communities

Image: Project teams donated a new gazebo to Lomond Riders Cycling Club

Team members working on a project to refurbish an overhead electricity line near Loch Lomond have been actively engaging with local communities to roll up their sleeves and lend a helping hand in a variety of important initiatives. 

In the last six months, staff from Omexom, the principal contractor working on SSEN Transmission’s Sloy-Windyhill overhead line refurbishment project, have been taking part in a whole host of activities to help give the local community a lift – from litter picking in scenic beauty spots to sprucing up local footbridges.

Image: Teams cleared over four bags of discarded rubbish near Arrochar

Cleaning-up popular walking spots

Working with Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park (LLTNP) and armed with litter-picking tools, teams worked to clear waste from the site’s yard in Tarbet to Arrochar as well as along Loch Long and Loin Water. In total, four bin bags of litter were collected and responsibly disposed of in site skips. 

The team were also called upon to help the Helensburgh and District Access Trust to clean up the popular Three Lochs Way core walking path, clearing discarded rubbish and camping equipment from the beautiful route. The waste was retrieved, transported back to the site yard, and responsibly disposed of.

Image: Volunteers work to remove discarded camping equipment from the Three Lochs Way

Sprucing up local footbridges and carparks

Staff also supported Friends of LLTNP’s Make a Difference Day, lending their efforts to repaint several footbridges in the local area. The restoration work helps to enhance their appearance and longevity, contributing to the preservation of key walking infrastructure in the region and sprucing up their appearance for all footbridge users to enjoy. Site teams also volunteered to help carry out repairs to the nearby Glen Loin Caravan Park, filling in the potholes that have developed over the years using the site’s plant machinery and spare materials. 

Image: Local footbridges were spruced up thanks to the project's volunteers

Inspiring Young Minds at Arrochar Primary School

Omexom’s environmental team visited Arrochar Primary School earlier this year to educate pupils on the importance of electricity and environmental conservation. The visit included an engaging presentation on their work, an interactive discussion on renewables energy, and a hands-on demonstration of a wind turbine. The students also constructed model overhead lines from paper straws and string, reinforcing their understanding of electricity networks. The team rounded off the session with an environmental awareness activity, discussing Scotland’s native species and conservation efforts.

Gazebo Donation for Lomond Riders Cycling Club

Omexom also contributed to the local cycling community by donating a personalised gazebo to the Lomond Riders Cycling Club. The organisation, established two years ago, encourages riders of all ages and abilities to explore the local environment on bicycles. The gazebo will provide shelter at the start and end of group rides, allowing members to gather in comfort before and after their cycling events.

Image: The access road to Glen Loin caravan park was also tidied up using the site's plant machinery and spare materials

Commenting on the community involvement, Lucy Horn, Environmental Advisor at Omexom, said: “It is a great honour to have taken part in so many great initiatives and activities, and the team and I look forward to continuing this for the rest of the time we are working on the Sloy-Windyhill project.

“We are always looking for ways to give back to the communities we are working in and doing our part to improve the local environment. One of the four pillars Omexom is founded upon is integrity and responsibility, and as a business we truly believe in doing the right thing for each other, our customers and the environment.”

Martha Smart, Community Liaison Manager at SSEN Transmission, said: “With the overhead line refurbishment works between the Sloy Switching Station and Windyhill Substation making great progress, it’s been really important that we worked with the local community and kept them informed throughout this project.

“As guests in the area, we’re always looking for ways we can give back and support the local community in the area in which we’re working. Our thanks go to our contractor Omexom for rolling up their sleeves and getting involved in a whole range of initiatives that really help to make a difference and leave a positive impact.”

SSEN Transmission’s Sloy-Windyhill overhead line refurbishment project involves refurbishing a 14.5km section of 132kV overhead line between Sloy and Windyhill near Glenmallan. The original lines - sections of which were constructed as early as the 1950s - are reaching the end of their operational life and require upgrading to ensure they can continue to operate safely and help keep the lights on. 

The project has been making good progress, with teams carrying out work to install the temporary access tracks which will allow operatives to safely complete the work. Teams are now turning to the critical refurbishment works to the lines, including the upgrade of tower foundations, the refurbishment of the steel towers and ultimately the replacement of the overhead lines.  Once complete, the refurbished line will provide a more resilient network and security of electricity supply in the area.

Learn more about the project here: https://www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/project-map/sloy-to-windyhill-ohl-refurbishment-project/