Moving a transformer and overhead cables - whose responsibility?

[ploughman1963]

We come under Western Power area and have a 3 phase transformer on a twin pole at the side of our yard with overhead cables that are - in modern times, far too close to the ground (I havent measured them). We are planning to put up a new building and ideally, the transformer pole needs moving to leave reasonable access. I would also like the overhead cables going underground to make the whole area safer for the future.

Who is responsible for the cost of the works - our landlord's agent has approached WP but not had a reply yet. He seems to be of the opinion we try to work with them on it, which is good, but I had it in my mind that we could request that the poles be moved/ lines put underground and that as part of wayleave agreements, they pretty much had to agree? Certainly that was the case with BT poles on our ground a couple of years back.

Thanks

 

[nick...]

The power company will move them but I expect you will have to pay.they will give you a ridiculous price and it’s take it or leave it.if you want the cables raised I’m sure they will do that at their expense as it’s a safety issue.
Nick...

 

[jondear]

It will probably involve a big cost and usually they won't move anything without one.Some do get lucky but in our experience they don't turn up to do anything for less than 10k.

 

[farmerdan7618]

It's a safety issue, surely they are a bit close to the top of the wagon?
Approach from that angle and I would expect them to be quite accommodating. If they suggest raising them, offer to dig the trench, it's the expensive bit for them but costs bobbins if you have a digger around.

 

[ploughman1963]

It's a safety issue, surely they are a bit close to the top of the wagon?
Approach from that angle and I would expect them to be quite accommodating. If they suggest raising them, offer to dig the trench, it's the expensive bit for them but costs bobbins if you have a digger around.

That genuinely is the issue - artics are loading grain in that area with a 40ft auger - can’t get artic load of bales through the yard under the cables. Digger on site so that’s doable. Thanks

 

[Yale]

Health and safety executive?

Get their opinion?

Think you may struggle to get anyone with the current situation though.

 

[Andy26]

@ploughman1963 I had overhead cables put underground for 200m by Western Power FOC to allow a new shed to be built.

The important thing was that the line went on to serve a third parties property, it was this leg that I wanted removing. Had it been the cables serving our property then we would of had to pay.

After a few letters and phonecalls got nowhere, I terminated the wayleave on the offending poles this got an immediate response and they were buried in a matter of a few months.

 

[ploughman1963]

@ploughman1963 I had overhead cables put underground for 200m by Western Power FOC to allow a new shed to be built.

The important thing was that the line went on to serve a third parties property, it was this leg that I wanted removing. Had it been the cables serving our property then we would of had to pay.

After a few letters and phonecalls got nowhere, I terminated the wayleave on the offending poles this got an immediate response and they were buried in a matter of a few months.

That’s very helpful- the cables do go on to 3rd party - thank you

 

[fieldfarmer]

That genuinely is the issue - artics are loading grain in that area with a 40ft auger - can’t get artic load of bales through the yard under the cables. Digger on site so that’s doable. Thanks

If you can't get a artic through there than yes they should move them quickly, although if you have altered the yard they may grumble a bit, but please remember the cables are high voltage before the transform and can arc several feet to a working machine.

 

[ploughman1963]

We top the loads off after they’ve gone under the cables - yard height not altered. We keep well clear but as said I think HSE risk assessment should focus WP on the situation

 

[neilo]

If you can't get a artic through there than yes they should move them quickly, although if you have altered the yard they may grumble a bit, but please remember the cables are high voltage before the transform and can arc several feet to a working machine.

There is a statutory minimum height that the cables need to be, which was increased a few years ago. Iirc it is something like 5.5m , regardless of whether it is over a road, an altered yard, or a field. I know that bit as they came out and replaced the poles with taller ones here, across a bank that there is no way I’d attempt to take a loaded trailer down.

 

[Barleymow]

There were wires in the way of my grain store ,they did not supply me so terminated the wayleaves on the poles and it was moved

 

[kill]

You should have actually put the footings in for the building and then told western power their pole was in the way afterwards and they would be responsible to move the pole for free .
I had exactly the same problem with western power a couple of years ago and that was there response but I’d asked them pre putting in the footings like my shed erector asked me to do so there fore chargeable at 15k. Very odd way I know.
Be very careful as if anything is within 3 metres of the line western power WILL turn the line off and do the work immediately at their emergency rates at YOUR cost and won’t hold back on charging you. I was under this threat when measured and just had 4 metres as thought it would be safe and it was but only by a metre but they get NASTY real NASTY !!!

 

[Kidds]

Friend paid £3k to have (new) transformer and poles taken down and transformer put on next pole along, supply then buried from there. He dug trench.
A lot of money but less than people on here suggest.

 

[Exfarmer]

I am fairly certain that once you have planning and the cables supply other properties, they do have an obligation to move them away from the new building , at no cost.
in my case we had a new shed going up within feet of the cable , and the respponse by by UKPN was to offer to move the cables out into the field behind for free. This would have been a nuisance so we did a deal I dug the trench and they put in a new underground cable for a very small sum.
The pricing of any of these jobs, always seem to have more to do with the time of day and their mood, than any connection to real cost. Also strangely, if the supply feeds to any elderly person , they can put a big discount in, do not ask me why, but a friend has had just that happen, and the elderly person was his 66 year old father!

 

[ploughman1963]

I still have the option to move the new shed along by about 15’ which will avoid the need to move the pole and transformer potentially but I think I need to lean on them over burying the overhead wires

 

[GreenerGrass]

Friend paid £3k to have (new) transformer and poles taken down and transformer put on next pole along, supply then buried from there. He dug trench.
A lot of money but less than people on here suggest.

This is exactly what I want to do, move transformer (existing) back a pole and going u/g. But informally they are talking £20k!! And that is with me digging the trench. I might try terminating the wayleave and see if that influences them..

 

[br jones]

6m height for power lines ,if you get a nice WPD man tuurn up , you may get a result ,if a snotty one turns up you wont ,one job i had i had 4 different wpd men turn up and tell me a different opinion.the 5th one turned up who was only too happy to help when we pointed out the height of cables ,he said if we can put a pole in the corner in the hedge next to the road ,you dig a trench we will bury them ,foc

 

[roscoe erf]

We come under Western Power area and have a 3 phase transformer on a twin pole at the side of our yard with overhead cables that are - in modern times, far too close to the ground (I havent measured them). We are planning to put up a new building and ideally, the transformer pole needs moving to leave reasonable access. I would also like the overhead cables going underground to make the whole area safer for the future.

Who is responsible for the cost of the works - our landlord's agent has approached WP but not had a reply yet. He seems to be of the opinion we try to work with them on it, which is good, but I had it in my mind that we could request that the poles be moved/ lines put underground and that as part of wayleave agreements, they pretty much had to agree? Certainly that was the case with BT poles on our ground a couple of years back.

Thanks

does the transformer and lines only serve your property

 

[jondear]

It's a safety issue, surely they are a bit close to the top of the wagon?
Approach from that angle and I would expect them to be quite accommodating. If they suggest raising them, offer to dig the trench, it's the expensive bit for them but costs bobbins if you have a digger around.

When you put underground cable in you will be expected to pay for or do dig anyway not usually included in the charge!