The Chelmer Blackwater Estuary at Maldon is to be transformed when unsightly pylons are replaced by underground ones.

The project for 24seven, formerly Eastern Electricity, began last week with the Breheny company using special drilling equipment to prepare the way for the four-inch high voltage cable to dive three metres beneath the clay bed of the river.

Work started with an 'intelligent' probe starting a 77 metre long journey and completing its work in double quick time.

Currently another 100 metres is being cut under the industrial estate from Smiths Wheels UK under the Galliford Road to Select Windows and a final 100 metres will be trenched in traditional 'open cut' style because of a number of subterranean obstacles in that sector, said Bob Booth of 24seven.

Two seven-inch cables each carrying 33,000 volts will be switched on early in January and the overhead cables and their pylons removed - weather and ground conditions permitting by the end of February.

Also disappearing at the same time will be pylons scarring the hill country around Cocks Clarks and Bicknacre. Power will be diverted via existing overhead cables elsewhere to maintain power to those localities.

By Peter Baker

Reporter's e-mail: peter.baker@essex-chronicle.co.uk

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