Powerline river crossings in the United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, powerlines cross rivers and estuaries either in the form of overhead lines or with cables carried in tunnels.

Tall pylons ensure that the electricity cables which they support provide an adequate safety clearance for river traffic.

The tallest electricity pylons in the UK are those of the 400 kV Thames Crossing, at West Thurrock, which are 190 m (630 ft) high.

Tunnels under the River Thames, from east to west are: Other underground tunnel cable crossings are: The 430-ft high 275kV Tyne Crossing collapsed on 16 February 1962, on the same day there was the British highest wind speed of 177mph on Lowther Hill in south-west Scotland.

The North Eastern Electricity Board had planned a transmission line from Blyth to Teesside in 1958; Jarrow Borough Council wanted the cables to go underground.