ELECTRICITY lines and wooden poles are to be removed from along Chesil Beach to improve views of the Dorset coastline.

One of the largest projects Southern Electric engineers have worked on this year will see 10 kilometres of overhead powerlines cleared away from the Jurassic Coast.

Project bosses say that the £412,000 scheme – to be completed next year - will ensure that the view over part of Dorset’s World Heritage Coast is even more breathtaking.

The Jurassic Coast was nominated by Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) officials as an area which could benefit from the loss of unsightly power lines.

Industry regulator Ofgem funded the project through a special grant given to Southern Electric Power Distribution.

Project planner Greg Moore said: “This site really stood out as it’s one of the most picturesque parts of south Dorset – and that’s why it secured funding.

“This is one of the largest engineering projects we have worked on this year and it’s been very satisfying to have overcome a number of challenges.”

Electric engineers have been working with local organisations and landowners to ensure the work is carried out as sensitively as possible.

Replacement underground electricity cables have already been laid through the fields and these will be ‘switched on’ next year when the project is near completion.

Southern Electric workers used a mole plough to cut the trenches to cause minimal environmental disruption.

The plough works at up to ten times the speed of normal open-cut trenching.

To lay cable in other areas, engineers have used a directional drill with precision steering led by a GPS satellite navigation system.

Mr Moore added: “We’ve liased very closely with local landowners to find cable routes acceptable to everyone.”

The changes will also strengthen the area’s electricity supply because underground routing will make it more reliable.

Work on the next phase of the project will continue in 2009.

Sarah Bentley, spokesman for the Dorset AONB, said: “We are absolutely delighted that this scheme is going ahead.

“Removing power lines from this very sensitive landscape will increase everyone’s enjoyment and appreciation of our spectacular coast.”