Council says 'no' to electricity tunnel
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
23/09/2008
Plans to regenerate a run-down part of Fulham are being threatened by another super tunnel that could throw the area into chaos.
H&F News has learnt that Hurlingham Wharf and Whiffen Wharf have been earmarked as the site for a new National Grid high-voltage electricity tunnel – one of four that will stretch across the capital.
The 14-kilometre tunnel, which will be four metres in diameter and will lay 30 to 40 metres below ground, will carry cables from St John’s Wood to Wimbledon and connect two National Grid substations at either end. It is expected to be completed by 2016.
The £127 million tunnel is part of a wider project, costing around £600 million, to improve electricity supplies for London and meet future demand. National Grid has carried out exploratory works by drilling bore holes into ground on the industrial estate off Carnwath Road, and to see where key access points to the tunnel and ventilation shafts might be. The outcome of these works could determine the tunnel’s final route.
National Grid states that it does not need planning permission to build the tunnel as it is a statutory undertaking – meaning that the local authority would have no power to stop the subterranean works, even if local people did not want the tunnel. It would, however, need planning permission from H&F Council to erect a building above ground to allow access to the pipe and to store control equipment.
But Hammersmith & Fulham Council Leader, Councillor Stephen Greenhalgh, says that the area around Hurlingham and Whiffen Wharves is a no-go zone for National Grid.
“If this tunnel is routed through either of the wharves to pass under the Thames, it could ruin plans for mass regeneration in an area that is crying out for redevelopment,” said Cllr Greenhalgh.
“And the fact that National Grid does not need to consult with residents as a matter of course means that residents will have to suffer noise and inconvenience, all without them having had a say in what happens on their doorstep.
“We will fight this tunnel all the way.”
H&F News understands that National Grid is currently locked in discussions with landowners – including Comer Homes, which has ambitions to build 300 two and three-bedroom apartments on the site – about working on the riverside spot for an anticipated four years. If a deal is brokered, then construction could throw the future of the site into jeopardy.
However, Hurlingham Wharf is a safeguarded wharf, which means that there are strict controls to make sure there is a balance between the area as a working dock in future, and adjoining land being developed for residential and leisure use.
Cllr Greenhalgh added: “We will not let National Grid throw a spanner in the works and scupper the chance to improve this part of the borough for our residents.”
London accounts for about one-fifth of the country's electricity demand and National Grid says this tunnel is essential as the need for power is forecast to grow by five per cent every year – more than double that of the rest of the country.
A National Grid spokeman said: "National Grid plans to build a deep cable tunnel between Wimbledon substation and Kensal Green (12.4km). The tunnel will carry new high voltage electricity transmission cables (400kV) which will supply electricity to the London area. Construction of the tunnel is planned to start late 2009 with completion expected by 2016.
“The proposed work is essential to ensure a safe and reliable electricity network and to meet future electricity demand. One of the advantages of building a tunnel is that major disruption to the road network in London is avoided during both construction and future maintenance.
"We are currently in the feasibility and design stage of the project and are continuing to liaise with the relevant local authorities. We will be organising a series of public exhibitions to discuss our proposals with the local community."
