EirGrid plan major work of Blundelstown Mullingar power line

EirGrid plc have lodged plans with Westmeath County Council for a major refurbishment of the 24.2-kilometre Blundelstown to Mullingar 110kV overhead electricity line.

The proposed works would run from the point where the line enters County Westmeath at Grangemore through a number of townlands before connecting to the existing Mullingar 110kV substation at Irishtown.

The project involves the replacement, or “restringing”, of the existing overhead line conductor wires, along with the installation of fibre wrap and extensive refurbishment of the supporting infrastructure.

Seven steel towers and 73 wooden pole-sets or poles are proposed to be replaced, while replacement cross arms would be installed on a further nine pole-sets. A further 19 wooden pole-sets would undergo refurbishment works.

According to the planning application, replacement structures would be broadly similar in size to those currently in place. New towers would be no more than 0.5 metres taller than existing towers, while replacement poles and pole-sets would be no more than three metres taller.

The works would also include foundation strengthening and refurbishment, treatment and painting of steel towers being retained, replacement parts for towers and poles, vegetation maintenance and the clearance and refurbishment of existing foundation areas.

Temporary works areas and access routes would be required to facilitate construction. A temporary construction compound is proposed in the townland of Aghadaugh, while existing tracks would also be upgraded and temporary access routes created to individual structures.

One proposed access route is within the curtilage of Millerstown House, a protected structure.

listed on the Record of Protected Structures.

The Westmeath section of the project passes through the townlands of Grange More, Craddanstown, Joristown Lower, Priesttown, Clonreagh, Corbetstown, Higginstown, Hodgestown, Millerstown, Corbally, Edmondstown, Clonlost, Clonickilvant, Ballycor, Aghadaugh, Killynan (Cooke), Mountrobert, Macetown, Rathconnell, Clonsheever, Culleen Beg, Robinstown (Levinge), Ballyglass and Irishtown.

The wider overhead line begins in County Meath, at Blundelstown in the townland of Harlockstown, before extending into Westmeath and connecting to Mullingar.

A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) is also due to be submitted to the planning authority as part of the application, assessing the potential impact of the proposed works on designated European sites.

The application, which was lodged on August 28, will now be considered by Westmeath County Council as part of the planning process with an estimated decision date of October 18.