Morgan Sindall has landed a £80 million National Grid contract to help restore views of the Dorset landscape.

The 400kV electricity cable project has been awarded as part of the four year Engineer, Procure and Construct (EPC) framework.

It will also be the first scheme delivered as part of National Grid's Visual Impact Provision (VIP) programme, which will help reduce the visual impact of existing electricity transmission infrastructure in some of the most precious landscapes throughout England and Wales.

Simon Smith, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure managing director, said: "We are delighted to have been awarded the first of National Grid's VIP projects. This award further strengthens our high voltage underground electricity cabling capability which has grown significantly over the past few years. We look forward to further enhancing our long term relationship with National Grid and delivering this complex and important scheme."

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The £80m construction contract will involve the design, construction, testing and commissioning of a new 8 kilometre 400kV double circuit underground cable system and associated works in the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The project will also involve the removal of the existing overhead line and 22 pylons that form part of the existing landscape in the AONB.

Construction work is expected to begin in early 2019.

Michelle Clark, senior manager VIP projects, from National Grid added: "This contract marks a major step forward in a unique opportunity to restore views from the Hardy Monument across Dorset AONB.

"The project has been driven by local and national organisations dedicated to conserving the landscape and countryside throughout England and Wales. We welcome Morgan Sindall Infrastructure on board and are looking forward to working with them as our delivery partner to turn the plans into a reality."

(CM/MH)