Project aims to protect swans

Our Burton team has been quick to respond to a resident’s concerns and implemented a solution to help local wildlife avoid power lines.

Operator Dan Sanders (front) and Linesman Mark Stewart (back) prepare to install bird diverters.

Burton Manager Karl Ashfield met with concerned resident Arthur Stone last week, following points raised about the welfare of swans striking the lines. Karl explained: “Installing diverters was the best solution. These reflective discs turn in the wind, signalling to birds that something is there to be avoided.”

Similar wildlife protection work has been undertaken elsewhere. Karl added: “We’ve installed them in other areas and they’ve proven to be effective. We hope that our work today will have the same result.”

The discs were installed at ten metre intervals along overhead lines behind the sewage works near Meadow Lane in Burton, Derbyshire.