Reepham event about offshore windfarm company cable route

RWE, which acquired the three windfarm projects - Norfolk Vanguard East, Vanguard West and Boreas - from Vattenfall last year, is putting the infrastructure in place to lay down ducting, which will be used to cover the cables.

Because Reepham is on the route for the project's cable corridor, a public information drop-in event was held to address any concerns from those in the town.

RWE held a public information event where people were invited to learn of the plans to lay down cables for the project. (Image: Newsquest) READ MORE: Town council chairman resigns over skatepark controversy

Victoria Crawford, local liaison officer for Murphy, the construction company contracted by RWE, said: "We're here today to reassure people about what we're doing for the cables going in and keep them as informed as possible."

Common concerns included the environmental impact the work will have as well as traffic disruptions to the area north of Reepham where the cables will be laid.

Ms Crawford said wildlife, such as badger setts, were being relocated and bats were being rehomed. 

Members from RWE and Muprhy, the engineering and construction business being contracted by RWE, explained efforts being undertaken to minimise the impact on the environment. (Image: Newsquest) READ MORE: Mid Norfolk Railway unveils track extension project

She said: "We want to make sure that we have as little impact on the environment as possible and anything we remove, we replace as much as possible." 

Tim Cooper, the agricultural liaison officer for RWE, said the team would be "reinstating the top soil" as the corridor is built in order to mitigate against the environmental impact. 

Part of the construction plans will involve traffic disruptions to facilitate "hall roads", which need to be built to allow access for construction crews. 

Ms Crawford also said: "We give anyone who may be impacted by traffic changes loads of notice so they know about closures or works being done."

In response to the plans, Richard Cooke, who is part of Reepham Rotary Club, said the plans were "better than pylons".

He said: "It's brilliant. We've had three years of people coming down and letting us know what they're doing as they go along."

Mary Knights, who was visiting from Aylsham where the cables will also be laid, agreed. 

She said: "I was really concerned about the impact on the environment but they've answered all my questions and said they'd be putting everything back, which is great."