Waste management advisory support at the planning and project contracting stages for a major infrastructure project in North Wales

Visual Impact Provision (VIP) Project: Snowdonia Waste Management

Part of National Grid’s Visual Impact Provision (VIP) Project, the project comprises removal of a 3.5 kilometre section of 400kV overhead line across the Dwyryd Estuary in North Wales and its replacement with a new underground cable tunnel.

A bespoke programme of material sampling, laboratory testing, and data interpretation was undertaken. We assessed risks associated with acid rock drainage (ARD) and provided waste classification advice based on potential re-use scenarios.

Our appraisal of prevailing regulatory requirements and the local waste market has informed the planning application. This aimed to ensure management of tunneling arisings would be undertaken in line with current legislation and policy, together with circular economy principles and National Grid’s sustainability and environment policies.

We produced and contributed to key reports including an outline waste management plan (OWMP) and a site waste management plan (SWMP) template; technical and regulatory input into the outline construction and environment management plan (OCEMP); and supported National Grid in developing a commercial invitation to tender (ITT).

In Summer 2020 Snowdonia National Park Authority and Gwynedd Council granted planning permission to build the tunnel head houses on both sides of the Dwyryd Estuary. National Grid can now continue its commitment to deliver a long-term sustainable future for the UK’s critical national electricity infrastructure.