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Tree Cutting

Maintaining Trees And Hedges On Your Property

In recent years there have been a number of incidents involving landowners and private tree cutters where overhead power lines have been accidentally damaged, putting those involved at risk of electric shock.

Anyone making contact with, or coming close to live overhead power lines and associated equipment, can risk serious injury or death.

tree cutting


Safety Guidelines

If you are planning to carry out any tree or hedge cutting, please make sure to follow this important safety advice:

  • Do not cut trees or hedges which are directly below live overhead power lines and associated equipment if they are within 5 metres (16 ft 4 inches) of the power lines and associated electricity equipment.
  • Do not cut down trees which are within two times the length of the tree, or less, on either side of live overhead power lines and equipment.
  • Plan ahead - If you are unsure about how close your cutting work will come to overhead power lines, contact NIE Networks for advice on 03457 643 643. If cutting is within 5m of our equipment or has any potential to come within 5m of our equipment during your work, we may need to have our equipment made safe before your work starts. This will be free of charge provided;
    • Adequate notice is given
    • Traffic control is not required
    • Your work is planned for normal working hours (9:00 to 16:30)
  • It is not safe to complete tree or hedge cutting in close proximity to the overhead power line without first contacting NIE Networks on 03457 643 643.

Look Up And Look Out

tree-cutting-tractor.jpg

Landowners and Contractors - are you planning to cut trees or hedges adjacent to live overhead power lines, structures or equipment?

Please remember:

  • Making contact with, or coming close to live overhead power lines and equipment will result in serious injury or death.
  • Before starting tree or hedge cutting, "look up and look out" for overhead power lines or associated equipment.
  • Stay safe and "call NIE Networks before you cut" on 03457 643 643.

View our short safety video on the dangers of cutting trees close to overhead lines.

Safety Clearances

The amount of clearance required from lines and poles will depend on:

  • The voltage of the line. The higher the voltage, the greater the safety clearance required.
  • The contruction type of the line. For example, 110 kV tower lines require a greater clearance to either side of the line than single pole (AP1) 110 kV lines.

The following diagrams show NIE Networks' safety clearances between overhead power lines and trees, hedges or other vegetation. 

Clearance distance for 11V and 33 kV systems

Tree Cutting Clearance - 11 kV and 33 kV systems

Clearance distance for 110 kV systems with AP1 construction

Tree Cutting Clearance - 110 kV (AP1 Construction)

Clearance distance for 110kV systems with portal construction

Tree Cutting Clearance - 110 kV (Portal Construction)

Clearance distance for 110kV systems with tower construction

Tree Cutting Clearance - 110 kV (Tower Construction)

Clearance distance for 275kV systems with tower construction

Tree Cutting Clearance - 275 kV (Tower Construction)

Further HSE Safety Guidelines

For further information on tree cutting safety, follow the links below: