Campaigners against 'Norwich to Tilbury' Pylon project still hopeful it can be stopped
National Grid says an overhead line for the project would be "most appropriate" after carrying out a consultation
A campaigner opposed to the building of electric overhead pylons to run from Norfolk to Essex is telling us they're still hopeful they can stop this project in it's tracks.
That's despite National Grid recently confirming these plans will go ahead.
It had previously considered putting these cables underground in the Waveney Valley, as part of its plans to upgrade the energy grid between Norwich and Tilbury.
"Feels like we're always being short-changed and thrown under the bus"
Rosie Pearson is part of the 'Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk' Pylons Action Group.
She told us what's behind this optimism that the project can still be stopped: "None of the laws have changed since Labour came into power, so our practical position is the same.
"We've got an excellent team of experts and a brilliant barrister, thanks to all those who've donated to our campaign.
"So, we have some very compelling arguments, we're confident we can make them and there's all still to play for.
"We're ramping to get more experts, as the campaign will be more technical moving forwards, and we'll continue to lobby the Labour Government to do things differently and to fight the planning application.
"National Grid have brought, globally, 14 thousand kilometres of this special underground cable to used elsewhere, but not for the East of England.
"It feels like we're always being short-changed and thrown under the bus, and for whatever reason they have decided they want to build Pylons between Norwich and Tilbury, where as in other parts of the country get better options."
How did National Grid come to this decision?
National Grid said it considered a range of underground techniques including horizontal directional drilling, tunnelling and open cut methods, which were found to present significant environmental, planning, and technical challenges as well as an increased cost to consumer.
Following a review of the feedback received and the findings of environmental and technical assessments, the firm concluded that an overhead line would be most appropriate.
National Grid says it is awaiting the Government’s community benefit framework which is essential to deliver clarity on benefits for communities and a positive legacy for those areas potentially hosting new transmission infrastructure.
The Timeline:
-January 2022- The project was launched
-Spring 2022- Non-statutory public consultation was carried out
-Summer 2023- Non-statutory public consultation
-10 April- 18 June 2024: Statutory public consultation
-2025-2025- A Development Consent Order examination and decision
-By 2031: Fully operational
What has National Grid said on this?
A spokesperson for National Grid said: “We have previously consulted on a proposal for crossing the Waveney Valley with an overhead line, and an alternative proposal to use underground cabling.
“We have reviewed feedback from local people and stakeholders and analysed results from environmental surveys and ground investigations, alongside government planning policy and our statutory duties, including ensuring value for money to bill payers.
“After careful consideration of all feedback and information received, we are proposing to take forward the overhead line as part of our proposals for Norwich to Tilbury".