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Power cables made safe for swans in Oakham




Western Power Distribution engineers fit diverters on power cables above Oakham Canal to prevent swans from flying into them. Photo: Lesley Dutton EMN-151215-170139001
Western Power Distribution engineers fit diverters on power cables above Oakham Canal to prevent swans from flying into them. Photo: Lesley Dutton EMN-151215-170139001

Engineers have installed special diverters on power lines in Oakham to prevent swans from flying into them.

Western Power Distribution fitted about 20 diverters at intervals along a section of the overhead line near the old Oakham to Melton Canal, after concerns were raised by a neighbouring resident Lesley Dutton.

The work was carried out by a Western Power Distribution lines team, who were able to install the diverters without any disruption to the electricity supplies.

The firm’s Melton team manager Mark Baxter said: “The diverters alert the birds to the presence of the power lines by rotating in the wind. They also contain glow-in-the-dark natural crystals which absorb and emit purple ultraviolet light so that birds can see them at dawn, dusk or night time.

“We’ve installed them in other areas and they’ve proven to be effective, so we hope that our work here will have the same result.”

Mrs Dutton said she was delighted with the work.



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