Traffic and access
There are only a small number of construction vehicles required during construction. It is estimated that most vehicle movements will take place at the early and late stages of construction. Therefore, it is not anticipated that construction vehicles will negatively impact the condition of the roads or generate excessive traffic.
Further traffic and transport mitigation and monitoring commitments will be implemented if necessary to reduce disturbance to the community:
- Traffic routes for the construction vehicles have been selected to reduce impacts on links that would be more sensitive to changes in traffic volumes, such as those near schools.
- Where practicable, deliveries will be scheduled at times of the day to minimise disruption to the public and tourists.
- Temporary speed restrictions and traffic marshals will safely manage HGV movements.
- No road closures are planned, but there may be some reductions to public parking at Talacre Beach parking area and along Station Road during construction periods.
- Oversized or heavy vehicles that are difficult to manoeuvre into the area will be escorted by staff to ensure public safety.
Construction compounds
To avoid being near residential properties, a temporary construction compound will be located at Warren Farm. This will be the main compound for storage and access to the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) Entry Pit and cable installation works.
Talacre Beach parking area will be used for access to the HDD Exit Pit and equipment will be stored on raised working platforms at the HDD exit area of the beach.
Construction working hours
Construction will require working 24 hours a day to allow the work to be completed as safely and quickly as possible. This will minimise the impact of the works on the community and the environment.
Construction timeline
The indicative construction programme is:
| Works | Dates* |
| HDD conduit construction | February to early April 2026 |
| Beach preparation and cable pull-in | June to August 2026 |
*dates are subject to change
The construction process
Using a trenchless HDD method, we will lay new electric and fibre-optic cables between the PoA Terminal and the Mean Low Water Spring (MLWS) line.
Trenchless techniques are used to lay cables under rivers, roads, and areas of conservation like sand dunes, without digging a trench through them. HDD allows us to lay cables underground without disturbing the land above and means that we only need to dig small exit and entry pits on either side of the area.
A drilling machine will be placed adjacent to the HDD Entry Pit behind the sand dunes on Warren Farm and will drill a small tunnel across to the HDD Exit Pit. The cable will be transported to the beach by the cable lay vessel before being pulled ashore and across the beach into the pit and pulled through the HDD duct. The HDD Entry and Exits pits will then be reinstated, and the ground returned to its original condition.
By employing a trenchless HDD method of construction, we will be able to tunnel beneath the sensitive sand dunes habitat, thereby minimising disruption and environmental impact on the area. The drill cuttings generated during construction will be collected at the entry site and removed from site in line with UK legislation.
Public Rights of Way (PRoW)
Along the base of the sand dunes, public access will be maintained during the works. During busy periods, Boskalis will deploy additional crew to safely guide the public past the works and ensure access to recreation in the area. Consistent signage (in both English and Welsh) at temporary access locations will be installed to provide relevant warnings and information to the public.
Noise and vibration
Noise and vibration from the cable laying activities, including equipment and vehicular movements, have the potential for short-term impacts. Standard construction methodologies will be employed in accordance with current legislation and standards including British Standard 5228-1:2014 for noise and vibration control, which include:
- Predicting and assessing construction noise levels
- Using quieter or electrically powered plant when possible
- Using noise-compliant equipment and acoustic screens where required
Visual impact
Temporary screens will be positioned around the boundary of the development to help reduce how much the work can be seen and to protect people walking nearby from any dust.
All equipment, including temporary fencing, screens and signage, will be removed on completion of the works. On the beach, the cable will be covered by sand, and any remaining equipment will be removed. This means that there will be no visible infrastructure on the beach when construction is complete.
Further information can be found in the planning documents available on our website:
- Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP)
- Noise and Vibration Management Plan
- Dust Management Plan
- Outline Construction Traffic Management Plan (OCTMP)