How Bell Ingram Is Enabling the UK’s Hydrogen Network
Delivering the UK’s transition to Net Zero will depend not only on new technologies, but on reimagining the infrastructure already in place. At the forefront of this transformation is the LTS Futures project – an ambitious, £30 million initiative led by SGN to prove that the UK’s Local Transmission System (LTS) can be safely repurposed to carry 100% hydrogen.
While the headlines focus on engineering breakthroughs, it is the work behind the scenes – securing land, managing stakeholders, and enabling access – that has been critical to turning this concept into a real-world success. That is where Bell Ingram has played a defining role.
The LTS is a vast network of more than 1,000 kilometres of high-pressure pipelines, forming a vital link between the national gas system and the homes, businesses and industries it serves. Repurposing this network for hydrogen has the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions while maintaining the reliability of existing infrastructure. However, proving that capability required more than theory – it required a live, operational trial.
In a UK-first demonstration, SGN successfully repurposed a 30km section of pipeline between Granton and Grangemouth in Scotland to carry hydrogen. The trial included groundbreaking engineering feats, such as live welding and hot tapping on an in-service hydrogen pipeline -achievements never before completed anywhere in the world. Hydrogen supplied by INEOS was transported through the system and safely flared at the end of the test, confirming both the integrity of the infrastructure and the readiness of the workforce.
For Bell Ingram, the challenge lay in ensuring that this complex and highly technical project could be delivered on the ground – efficiently, compliantly, and with the full support of those affected. From the earliest stages, the team provided comprehensive land consultancy services, securing access rights and managing relationships with landowners along the pipeline route and at key intervention points.
As Rhona Sharp, one of Bell Ingram’s lead surveyors on the project, explains:
“Projects like LTS Futures demonstrate that land is often the critical path in infrastructure delivery. Securing access and building trust with landowners is what enables innovation to happen on the ground.”
Establishing early, transparent communication helped build trust and ensured that landowners understood both the purpose of the project and how works would be managed. Acting as a trusted intermediary, Bell Ingram balanced the operational requirements of SGN with the interests of rural stakeholders – ensuring that progress could be maintained without compromising relationships.
“From the outset, our focus was on early, transparent engagement,” Rhona adds. “By working closely with landowners and stakeholders, we were able to remove uncertainty and keep the project moving at pace.”
This role required not only technical expertise but also a deep understanding of the rural environment. The pipeline route passed through a variety of landscapes, each with its own sensitivities and land use considerations. Bell Ingram’s long-standing relationships and local knowledge enabled the team to navigate these complexities, negotiating access agreements and ensuring that works were carried out responsibly and sustainably.
“We’re often operating at the intersection between complex engineering and rural communities,” says Rhona. “Our role is to translate those technical requirements into something that works practically for the people and land affected.”
The project also drew on Bell Ingram’s wider utilities expertise, including GIS mapping, land referencing, and property advisory services. These capabilities helped translate a highly innovative concept into a deliverable project – ensuring that every parcel of land, every access point, and every stakeholder requirement was accounted for.
“This was a highly innovative project, but innovation only succeeds when it’s deliverable,” Rhona notes. “Our job was to make sure the land, access, and stakeholder elements were aligned to support that ambition.”
Importantly, Bell Ingram’s involvement did not simply support delivery – it helped de-risk it. By identifying potential issues early, coordinating access, and maintaining clear lines of communication, the team ensured that the project could proceed at pace while meeting all regulatory and operational requirements.
“Our rural expertise really came to the fore,” Rhona adds. “Understanding land use, existing relationships, and local sensitivities allowed us to navigate challenges quickly and responsibly.”
The success of the LTS Futures trial marks a significant milestone for the UK’s energy sector. It demonstrates that existing gas infrastructure can be repurposed to support a hydrogen future, providing a practical pathway to decarbonisation. The findings will now inform a national blueprint for converting the wider LTS network – supporting government policy and shaping the future of energy distribution.
“There’s a real sense of pride in being part of a project that contributes to the UK’s energy transition,” Rhona reflects. “We’re helping to lay the groundwork- quite literally – for a hydrogen future.”
Yet behind this achievement lies a powerful example of collaboration. Engineers, energy specialists, and land consultants worked together to deliver something genuinely pioneering. Bell Ingram’s role within that partnership highlights the importance of land expertise in enabling innovation – ensuring that ambitious ideas can be realised safely, efficiently, and with the support of the communities they affect.
“Acting as a trusted intermediary is central to what we do,” Rhona concludes. “We ensure that both client objectives and landowner interests are respected, which ultimately leads to better outcomes for everyone involved.”
As the UK accelerates towards Net Zero, projects like LTS Futures show what is possible when existing infrastructure is combined with forward-thinking expertise. For Bell Ingram, it is a clear demonstration of how its utilities and land consultancy teams are helping to unlock the next generation of energy solutions – playing a vital role in shaping a cleaner, more sustainable future.








