Work has started on an electricity transmission tower removal scheme in Cairngorms National Park.

SSE is removing over 300 structures in the Park as part of the £600 million Beauly-Denny project, which will see a 220km replacement overhead line developed across the north-south spine of Scotland.

The final section of tower removal works from Aviemore to Kingussie expected to be completed in July this year. New underground electricity distribution cables have been installed between Aviemore and Kingussie to keep the power on for local communities while this work is carried out. Upon completion, over 1,500 tonnes of steel will be available for recycling.

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Former Chairman of SSE and current Chairman of the Green Investment Bank, Lord Smith of Kelvin, joined SSEN's Director of Transmission, David Gardner, key contractors, partners and members of the SSEN Beauly-Denny project team to mark the beginning of the final works phase on Friday, 28 April.

Mr Garder said: "We are delighted to welcome colleagues past and present, as well as some of our key external partners, to celebrate the final phase of tower removal from the Cairngorms National Park.

"Whilst electricity transmission towers will continue to play a key role for many years to come in keeping the lights on and facilitating economic activity and growth, the Beauly-Denny project provided a unique opportunity to look again at the existing infrastructure within the Cairngorms National Park.

"Through a number of planning conditions that were agreed during the planning process, we have been able to remove significant sections of existing transmission infrastructure from the Cairngorms National Park, delivering a lasting legacy for current and future generations."

(LM)