Overview
Status: Operational Phase
About the Project
Following assessment of all of our infrastructure in National Parks and National Scenic Areas (NSAs), the overhead lines near Killin in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park were identified as a priority area, where the impacts of the existing infrastructure were higher than elsewhere in Scotland.
The potential for mitigation in this location was considered to be high, due to the number of people that could potentially benefit and the lower level of other environmental constraints.
Overview of Killin VISTA Route
This video, which has been designed by specialist company 3DW, allows viewers to see the route of the Killin VISTA project.
We are keen to hear your views on this style of overview, please send your feedback to the project’s Community Liaison Manager, Louise Anderson. You will find contact details at the bottom of this page.
What is VISTA?
The electricity and gas markets regulator, Ofgem, is responsible for administering a £500m fund for GB electricity transmission owners to mitigate the impact of existing electricity infrastructure on the visual amenity of nationally designated landscapes. This is part of the RIIO-T1 Price Controls that incentives and regulates how transmission owners operate, covering the eight year period from April 2013 to March 2021.
The primary objective of VISTA is to use the Ofgem funding to deliver the maximum benefit for nationally designated landscapes in the north of Scotland transmission network. This will be achieved by delivering projects that offer significant reductions in visual impact, while avoiding unwanted economic and environmental impacts.
What is at Killin Now?
Two parallel overhead lines run south from the Killin Substation, across the shoulder of Creag Bhuidhe, towards the River Dochart. After crossing the river to the south of Killin the two overhead lines diverge: one line continues west through Glen Dochart and the other passes south through Glen Ogle.
The towers are clearly visible from Killin village, and appear in the backdrop to the village in wider views. They are prominent from the Falls of Dochart which is a popular location for visitors. The towers are also seen from the A827 both on approach to the national park from the east, and between Killin and Lix Toll.
What is Proposed?
A total of 7.8 km of overhead line will be removed, including 32 steel lattice towers, between Killin Substation and Lix Toll. The removed towers will include the most prominent section above Killin and the Falls of Dochart, as well as those crossing the A827. The project will significantly reduce the quantity of electricity infrastructure in the Killin area.
The proposals will enhance the character and special qualities of this key gateway location to the national park, and have been designed to benefit the maximum number of people, by focusing on a well visited area, including the popular Falls of Dochart. This will enhance the enjoyment of the landscape and its scenic views, for many people who visit the area.
Community Engagement
Throughout the life of our projects, we aim to work positively with local communities and keep people informed about what we are doing. This is particularly important when we are developing a proposal and we want to understand what local people think about our plans.
We endeavour to take the time to discuss proposals with local community councils, encourage engagement from the wider community and listen to the feedback we receive.
We will do our best to answer any questions and address issues or concerns that are raised with us.
When our project progresses into construction, we will continue working closely with the local community to ensure that our work has as little impact on the lives of those living and working in the area and as many long term positive effects as possible.
How we’re embracing artificial intelligence (AI)
We intend to use AI to assist our experienced teams in the analysis of your feedback, so we can categorise key points raised more quickly. You can learn more about how we’re utilising AI on this dedicated web page.
Project Updates
Project updates
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Closure on Glen Lochay Road
Following the removal of the conductors and insulators on the towers between Lix Toll and Killin substation towards the end of last year, our Principal Contractor Morgan Sindall Infrastructure is now preparing for the removal of the towers.
For the dismantling of the towers across from Killin substation and to carry out some remedial works around the area, there is a requirement for a road closure on Glen Lochay Road up to the substation from 27 to 30 March. The diversion that will be available to access the A827 from Glen Lochay Road will be up pass Lochay Power Station.
The works required to dismantle the towers will be undertaken during the regular site working hours of 7am-7pm with no night-time working. General construction noise should be expected during the period while the use of a crane, telehandler and excavator are being used.
SSEN Transmission as always thank the local residents and road users for their patience and understanding while our Principal Contractor move into the final phase of the project and now begin works on removing the towers that make up the Killin VISTA project. -
Festive period
Works on the Killin VISTA site will pause for the festive period with the site closing from 23 December 2022 until 3 January 2023.
Although the site will be closed for all construction workers during this period, security will remain in place.
Tower removal
From 14 December our Principal Contractor Morgan Sindall Infrastructure will commence the removal of the first towers that are due to be felled as part of the Killin VISTA project. The first set of towers to be removed are within Dochart Forest.
Safety is always our first priority at SSEN Transmission and with this in mind, we ask that you please remain vigilant of signage or direction around the construction works and do not enter our working areas. Users of the access tracks in the forest are asked to obey signage and are reminded that large vehicles and construction traffic are also using the tracks.
The commencement of the removal of the towers The commencement of tower removal is the start of the final phase of the Killin VISTA project. Works will pause on site for the festive period with the site closing from 23 December 2022 until 3 January 2023 where the removal of the remaining towers will continue, although the site will be closed for all construction workers during this period, security will remain in place.
December 2022 newsletter
The next edition of the Killin VISTA project newsletter is now available to be downloaded from the project documents section of this webpage. Within this edition we provide an overview of works that have been carrried out to date since the August edition as well as an overview of upcoming activities. -
August 2022 newsletter
As the project continues to progress we are pleased to share the next issue of the project newsletter which shares the progress the site teams have made since the last issue in April. The newsletter is available for download from the project documentation section of this webpage.
Glen Lochay Road re-surfacing works
Morgan Sindall Infrastructure have advised today that due to Breedons quarry breaking down on Tuesday night they will only be able to complete the A827 re-surfacing works this week and have therefore submitted a request to Stirling Council to extend the closures to cover Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 August under a dayshift, 8am – 5pm to complete the surfacing works on Glen Lochay Road, working from the junction up towards the substation. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes, for those requiring access to Glen Lochay Road across these days the top road will remain open. -
Final re-surfacing works on A827
Following the successful completion of the cable duct installation works that was being carried out on the A827 and Glen Lochay Road at the North of the village, our Principal Contractor Morgan Sindall Infrastructure are now arranging for the final re-surfacing works on the carriageway as well as a short section of Glen Lochay Road. When the night works for the ducting were completed back in April it was expected by Morgan Sindall Infrastructure that the final re-surfacing of the A827 would be carried out via single lane closures until completion. Following discussions with Breedons the re-surfacing works are now required to be carried out under a road closure. The closure is required for safety purposes due to the narrow width of the road and being unable to safely accommodate the size of the paver required within a single lane closure. The works will take place between Monday 1 to Friday 5 August between the hours of 8pm-6am. Access for emergency services will always be maintained and amnesty periods will be provided at 10pm, 11pm and 3am. Motorists are encouraged to arrive prior to these times to ensure they are accommodated within the amnesty period. During these periods, traffic will be escorted through the site under a 10mph convoy system. Out with working hours, the speed limit will remain at 30mph. To contact a member of the site team during the hours of 8pm to 6am while the closure is in place please use the following number, 07929 869 998 to speak with the night works supervisor. -
A827 Carriageway Works
Our Principal Contractor Morgan Sindall Infrastructure have gained an extension from Stirling council for the A827 carriageway works that were expected to complete on 31 May. This extension runs to 17 June, where by the excavation works will be completed. The final reinstatement of the carriageway is expected to start 28 June and run until 20 July.SSEN Transmission and Morgan Sindall Infrastructure apologise for the delay in the completion of the carriageway works and thank the local community for their patience and understanding. -
A827 Road Closures Update
Morgan Sindall Infrastructure have been able to complete the necessary cable duct installation works that were being undertaken under the road closures on the A827 that were carried out between 7pm-6am.There will be no further closures on the A827 as the reinstatement works will be carried out on single lane closures until completion.
April 2022 Newsletter
Since the site re-opened following the festive break our construction activities are continuing to progress well. To find out more on our site activities for the first quarter of 2022 and those in the coming months, please download the project newsletter from the project documentation section of this webpage. -
Community Evening Thanks
SSEN Transmission and our Principal Contractor; Morgan Sindall Infrastructure would like to give thanks to the members of the Killin community that were able to join us at our site compound for the community open evening on Wednesday 9 March. It was a great success and we hope those that attended found it very useful to meet the site based project teams and have any questions on the project works answered.A project information leaflet that was available at the community night can be downloaded from the project documentation section of this webpage.
Road Closures
SSEN Transmission’s Principal Contractor Morgan Sindall Infrastructure to aid with the excavation works that are currently being undertaken on the A827 carriageway and the Glen Lochay Road have applied to Stirling Council for 2 road closures.The sections of the roads that will be closed are highlighted in the drawing that can be downloaded from the project documentation section of this webpage. 2 of the 3 sections of road that will have work undertaken on will be undertaken at night during the hours of 7pm to 6am with the A827 closure commencing from 14 March for approximately one week and the Glen Lochay Road closure commencing from 21 March for approximately 2 weeks.There will also be a day time closure on the Glen Lochay Road between 7am-5pm from 21 March for approximately one week.Morgan Sindall Infrastructure will prioritise carrying out as much cutting and breaking works as possible during the day, along with the vibratory compacting works which are generally the noisiest to minimise any disruption to the residents closest to these works.SSEN Transmission as always thank you for your patience and understanding while our Principal Contractor continue to execute the works required to underground the overhead line from Lix Toll to Killin substation. If you require to contact a member of the site team during the hours of 7pm to 6am while the closures are in place please use the following number, 07929 869 998. -
A827 Traffic Lights
We are aware of the fault with the traffic lights on the A827 carriageway to the north of the village where our Principal Contractor are carrying out duct installation works. Morgan Sindall Infrastructure's traffic management contractor will be attending site to rectify the issue imminently . SSEN Transmission apologises for any inconvenience caused while we have this issue resolved.
Community Open Evening
SSEN Transmission and our Principal Contractor; Morgan Sindall Infrastructure would like to extend an invitation to all local residents and interested parties to attend a community open evening on Wednesday 9 March between 6-8pm to meet members of the project teams and have any questions they have on the works that are being undertaken in the area answered.Refreshments will be available and locally supplied. We look forward to welcoming all those that can attend. For further details, please download the information poster available in the project documentation section of this webpage. -
Project Update - December
The Killin VISTA project has made great progress since our Principal Contractor Morgan Sindall Infrastructure mobilised to site in the Summer and as the site prepares to close for the Christmas break we wanted to provide a project update. Tree felling works associated with the cable corridor through Acharn and Dochart forest have completed and the timber is currently being removed from site. The access track to a new Cable Sealing End (CSE) tower location within Dochart forest is also complete. Construction on our remaining access tracks and easement fencing across the site remain on-going.We have also recently commenced trenching and ducting works to the north of the route outside Killin 132kV substation and within the land either side of the River Dochart as well as constructing the Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) compounds. The drilling works are now underway and are scheduled to be completed by the end of February 2022.The site will close on Thursday 23 December, and re-open on Tuesday 4 January 2022.
December Project Newsletter
The December edition of the Killin VISTA project newsletter is available to be downloaded from the project documentation section of this webpage and shares an overview of the site activities currently underway to keep all interested parties updated with the projects progress during construction. -
Temporary Bridge
We are pleased to confirm that works on the temporary bridge that has been installed across the River Dochart as part of the Killin VISTA project are now complete. This bridge is for the projects construction traffic only and is not for public use.Now that the bridge is in situ, residents of Craignavie Road should see a significant reduction in construction vehicles on this road. We thank the local residents for their extended patience and understanding while we worked on getting the bridge installed and opened. -
Project Newsletter
To give you an insight into what works and activities are coming up on site, the Killin VISTA project team have created and published the first quarterly project newsletter. The newsletter will share an overview of the works underway and keep you updated with the projects progress during construction. The newsletter can be downloaded from the project documentation section of this website. -
Site Compound Set Up
Our Principal Contractor; Morgan Sindall Infrastructure have begun setting up their site compound and started enabling works in order to commence the start of construction on the Killin VISTA project. The site compound will be situated off the A827.
40MPH Speed Restriction
SSEN Transmission recently applied to Stirling Council to restrict the speed on the A827 to 40mph from approximately 830meters north east of the junction of A85 / A827 at Lix Toll, extending 969 meters towards Killin. These restrictions will come into place from 16 August 2021 and will remain in place until 23 December 2022. The traffic management drawing showing where the signage will be placed and the area that the speed restriction applies to can be downloaded from the project documentation section of this website. The reduction in speed limit is required to ensure the safety of the general road users and of the construction workers during the Killin VISTA project works. SSEN Transmission and our Principal Contractor; Morgan Sindall Infrastructure apologise for any inconvenience and disruption that these restrictions may cause to the local community and thank you for your patience and understanding. -
Funding Determination
We welcome Ofgem’s decision to approve funding to remove a total of 7.8 km of overhead line from the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park between Killin substation and Lix Toll replacing it with underground electricity cables.We would like to thank everyone who has given their time to share their views throughout the development process, the approval from Ofgem follows several years of close development work with the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, the local community and a wide range of stakeholders, representing both statutory and non-statutory organisations.Work on the project is expected to commence in early summer 2021 with the work on the undergrounding expected to be completed by Jan 2023. -
OFGEM Consultation
Ofgem has now published a consultation on its preliminary assessment of a funding request by SSEN Transmission for our proposed Killin VISTA project.The final approval of the scheme is subject to the outcome of Ofgem’s consultation, open until 24 March 2021, as the regulator seeks further views and support from stakeholders before making a final decision on whether to approve funding for the plans.SSEN Transmission encourages those who are interested in the scheme to submit their feedback to Ofgem. -
Project Update
Following the virtual consultation event SSEN Transmission held in July 2020 we subsequently submitted our funding application to OFGEM in October 2020 with the expectation to receive OFGEMs determination on our funding application at the start of this year, with an anticipated construction start date of March 2021.As the funding determination has been delayed this has inadvertently pushed our anticipated start date back to August 2021 and the completion of works date to November 2023. We will provide another update once we have received the funding determination from OFGEM.
Project Documents
Project Newsletter
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December 2022 newsletter
- Type:
- Date:
- 01 December 2022
- Size:
- 896.7 KB
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August 2022 newsletter
- Type:
- Date:
- 04 August 2022
- Size:
- 22.5 MB
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April 2022 newsletter
- Type:
- Date:
- 03 April 2022
- Size:
- 974.3 KB
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December 2021 newsletter
- Type:
- Date:
- 01 December 2021
- Size:
- 1023.2 KB
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October 2021 newsletter
- Type:
- Date:
- 30 September 2021
- Size:
- 542.6 KB
Project documents
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Information leaflet
- Type:
- Date:
- 09 March 2022
- Size:
- 3.8 MB
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A827 Killin temporary Road Closure.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 04 March 2022
- Size:
- 3.6 MB
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Glen Lochay Road Closure Diversion.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 04 March 2022
- Size:
- 6.8 MB
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Road Closure.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 04 March 2022
- Size:
- 367.8 KB
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Community Open Evening Information
- Type:
- Date:
- 09 February 2022
- Size:
- 480.8 KB
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40MPH speed restriction
- Type:
- Date:
- 15 July 2021
- Size:
- 681.7 KB
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Killin VISTA FAQs.pdf
- Type:
- Date:
- 30 August 2020
- Size:
- 5 MB
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Project information brochure
- Type:
- Date:
- 29 July 2020
- Size:
- 2.6 MB
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