Views of the Lake District have been improved thanks to recent work near Hawkshead.

Friends of the Lake District are celebrating the latest project to remove 1.2km of overhead lines at Thompson Ground and divert them underground instead.

The task was part of the visual amenity programme carried out by Electricity North West and cost £300,000.

They are responsible for Cumbria's power network and have dedicated £6m towards this activity of removing overhead lines across national parks and landscapes in the North West.

Their initiative doesn't just eliminate overhead lines; a new section of the power network is also installed underground afterward.

(Image: Friends of the Lake District)

Tracey Cuthbertson, who oversees this vital task for Electricity North West in Cumbria, emphasised their commitment to the local landscape.

She said: "We’re delighted to be able to continue in our work to enhance the local landscape by removing these power lines and wood poles so everyone can enjoy this beautiful part of Cumbria.

"The North West’s power network is one of the most reliable in the world and we want to maintain the best supply to our customers.

"At times, we do understand the overhead lines can impact the local landscapes and that’s why we underground overhead lines where possible."

Ms Cuthbertson also promised they would persist in co-operating with the Lake District National Park Authority to identify further areas which could benefit from this operation.

(Image: Friends of the Lake District)

Appreciating the partners' effort in the project, Tim Duckmanton, team leader strategy and environment, Lake District National Park Authority, said: "Thanks to all our partners great work on this project we are seeing continual removal of intrusive infrastructure.

"This work is critical to maintain a resilient power network in the Lake District and reduce its impact upon the natural beauty of the world famous landscape."

Friends of the Lake District has been voicing its concern about overhead lines since the 1930s.

Their 2003 report, A Clear View, played a critical role in convincing the government regulator, Ofgem, to set up an allowance amongst electricity companies for undergrounding wires and poles within protected landscapes.

The removal of overhead lines especially benefits the area close to Hawkshead, which offers magnificent views of both the Coniston Fells and the Fairfield Horseshoe.

Amanda McCleery, overhead wires officer of Friends of the Lake District, expressed her joy: "It has been fantastic to get such a long stretch of wire clutter removed from this special landscape.

"It is great news, in our 90th birthday-year, that this important programme to enhance protected landscapes across Cumbria will soon enter its third decade, thanks in no small part to sustained campaigning by Friends of the Lake District over many years."