Helicopters aid power line checks

Currently power lines and poles are checked by walking patrols

Helicopters are to return to the skies over Cumbria to aid engineers surveying overhead power lines.

Supply firm United Utilities stopped using helicopters several years ago because video data could not be effectively transferred onto computers.

But improved technology could spell the end of foot inspections of the county's 7,000km (3,400 miles) of overhead electricity lines.

Test flights along the Cumbrian coast are due to take place on Tuesday.

The company's maintenance manager Steve Irlam said: "While foot patrols have always done an excellent job, it is time-consuming work and, especially in Cumbria, often means working alone in some very remote locations.

"If these helicopter surveys prove effective. It could be a more cost effective way of doing it."

As well as checking the condition of wires, poles and equipment, engineers also make sure all the relevant safety signage is in place and identify where trees are encroaching onto lines.

Up to 50 engineers currently undertake walking patrols and are faced with inspecting about 150,000 poles.