Campaigners opposed to new pylons across Essex write letter to King Charles

An action group have written to King Charles, asking him to speak out against the National Grid's plans to build 110 miles of new pylons across East Anglia

Author: Tom ClabonPublished 7th Jun 2023

Environmental campaigners across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex have told us they're hopeful the King might help respond to their call for help.

Its after an action group wrote to King Charles, asking him to speak out against the National Grid's plans to build a 110 mile long pylon project through the three counties.

The energy company say the pylon route is needed to transport wind energy generated off the coast of Norfolk and Suffolk.

MPs including South Norfolk's Richard Bacon and Essex's Priti Patel have previously criticised the current plans, arguing new lines should be buried offshore

"We would love it if he decided that he could intervene"

Rosie Pearson is from Essex Suffolk Norfolk Pylons action group:

"We are all very aware at the King has a passion for the environment, countryside, heritage and history. Obviously the pylons crossing through the heart of historic rural East Anglia is a major issue and it will destroy historic landscapes".

Campaigners hope King Charles, a big supporter of environmental causes, will signal his support

"We would love it if he decided that he could intervene in our campaign, come up with a statement and say he thinks things should be done better".

"We will be asking the people of East Anglia to get involved"

The group are waiting for National Grid's second consultation on their East Anglia GREEN project.

Rosie went on to say the group has got a range of action planned to try and stop a 110 mile long pylon project:

"We will obviously be responding to this with a technical and legal document. We will be asking the people of East Anglia to get involved and to send in their own submissions.

"We also producing a flyer which includes a postcard, which people can cut off and send to the Secretary of State. We will ask people to go into the drop in events that the National Grid is holding and we'll be holding a least one protest walk.

What is East Anglia GREEN?

The National Grid says its East Anglia GREEN project aims to boost capacity across the region, as hundreds of new homes are built alongside new wind farms and, potentially, a new nuclear reactor at Sizewell.

A map of the proposed route of the pylons (in red/purple)

The organisation says current pylons won't be enough to carry electricity across the region, meaning a major upgrade is necessary.

Around 110 miles of new pylons would be build across the Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex countrysides; from Norwich in the north to Tilbury in the south.

The lines will run via a substation outside of Ipswich.

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