11 May 2009 11:07 Central Networks takes to the skies to check Northamptonshire's overhead power lines
Central Networks, the electricity distribution company for central England, is carrying out helicopter patrols across Northamptonshire for the next month as part of its network inspection work.
The patrols will be carried out across the county over four weeks by a helicopter which is used to spot potential hazards on the 11kv overhead network and to highlight areas where future work may be needed.
The flights will be carried out across the 9,000km of overhead line in the Central Networks area - from the Lincolnshire coast to the Welsh Borders.
Flights will take place for the next four weeks over the following areas:
- Monday, 11th May: Desborough, Raunds, Thrapston and Oundle;
- Monday 18th May: Irthlingborough and Rushden, Burton Latimer and Little Irchester as well as west Northampton, Bugbrooke, Chapel Brampton and Earls Barton;
- Monday 25th May: flights scheduled over Crick, Daventry, Weedon, and West Haddon;
- Monday 1st June: Brackley, Silverstone, Towcester and Woodford Halse.
Exact flight times and locations will be based on local weather conditions in order to make the best use of time available.
Jim O'Sullivan, Director of Infrastructure Services at Central Networks, said: "Using a helicopter patrol is the safest, fastest and most effective way to carry out checks on large sections of the network.
"The helicopter will go where it can, taking weather patterns into account, so we make the best use of the technology. Taking a bird's eye view of the network enables us to check large areas quickly. We're able to spot potential hazards early so that we can plan our investment and maintenance work more effectively, and do any necessary work before it causes problems for our customers."
The helicopter patrols will also be on the look-out for trees growing into overhead lines, which can cause problems in stormy weather.
Central Networks, which is part of E.ON UK, carries out helicopter patrols across the East and West Midlands every year in the summer.
In addition to 48,000km of overhead cable Central Networks, the company also owns and operates over 84,000km of underground cabling.
Ends
Notes to editors:
- Central Networks brings power to 4.9 million customers across central England through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables and via almost 97,000 substations;
- Central Networks covers an area from the Peak District in the north to parts of Bristol in the south, and from the Welsh Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast.
For further information contact:
Andrew Barrow on 024 7618 3677
A selection of Central Networks pictures is available free of charge to the media by registering at http://www.newscast.co.uk/ and looking under Distribution