ELECTRICITY poles that have blighted a Lancashire beauty spot will be removed on Friday.

The overhead lines running through Gisburn Forest have provided power to the Stephen Park area of the forest for more than 35 years.

But Electricity North West, which looks after the region’s electricity network, has invested £114,000 in the project to replace 12 overhead line poles in Gisburn Forest with more than a kilometre of underground cable.

The forest, which is popular with walkers, horse riders and mountain bikers, was identified as an area that could be significantly improved by moving the overhead lines underground.

Jonathan Booth, asset planning manager at Electricity North West, said: “Gisburn Forest is one of the region’s most attractive parklands, drawing thousands of visitors every year.

“Our project to remove the electricity poles and overhead cables will dramatically improve the local landscape and allow the areas natural beauty to be restored, while still providing electricity to customers nearby through underground cables.”

laying the underground The work forms part of a £5.4million project over five years to replace lines identified as being most visually intrusive within the national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) in the North West.

Electricity North West has worked closely with representatives from the Forest of Bowland AONB and the Forestry Commission to develop the project plans and avoid impacting on the local wildlife.

Elliott Lorimer, principal AONB officer, said: “It is great to see the poles coming down as quickly as they are and I am sure this work will be hugely appreciated by visitors to Gisburn Forest.

“We have worked very closely with Electricity North West and we are delighted with this project to enhance the landscape of the area.”