SWANS are being given right of way in the sky by an environmentally minded electricity company.EDF Energy has launched an initiative to protect the birds from being killed and injured by power lines.

SWANS are being given right of way in the sky by an environmentally minded electricity company.

EDF Energy has launched an initiative to protect the birds from being killed and injured by power lines.

The company, which supplies electricity for Suffolk, has teamed up with experts from Surrey-based The Swan Sanctuary to establish a reporting system capable of mapping where swans are injured or killed by overhead lines.

Reports from members of the public will be analysed to identify changes in flight patterns and roosting grounds over time and, where possible, the company will take steps to reduce the danger to swans.

That will range from fitting diverters to the lines, which help the birds spot them, or by replacing the most at risk sections with underground cables.

EDF publics affairs manager Claire Byrd said: "EDF Energy works to a deeply held set of business principles, which aim to strike the right balance between the needs of our customers, communities, the environment and our own people.

"The strong relationship we have built up with The Swan Sanctuary over the last two years is a good example of bringing these principles to life.

"The new reporting system is already producing results and we hope members of the public will now realise something can be done if they find a bird that has hit a power line."

Trials of the reporting system have already produced results with a section of power line on private land near Sudbury replaced with an underground cable after a report of a swan hitting the line.

The Swan Sanctuary founder Dot Beeson said: "Electricity companies are often seen as the bad boys when people hear about swans or other large birds hitting overhead power lines but we know how much EDF Energy is doing to help prevent this.

"This is the first time we've heard of a company setting up a formal system to monitor problems areas, and we hope it will help reduce the number of swans injured in this way."

EDF Energy is also donating a new veterinary ambulance to the sanctuary, which treats about 4,000 swans a year.

Anyone who spots an injured bird should contact The Swan Sanctuary on 01784 431 667 noting the condition of the bird and its exact location.

Anyone who spots a dead bird close to a power line can email the information to EDF Energy at airline@edfenergy.com.

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