Campaigners 'apoplectic' as National Grid sets out locations for new pylons across East of England
National Grid have released a map detailing the locations of pylons that will span 112 miles across East Anglia
Last updated 27th Jun 2023
National Grid has released the locations of where they are placing pylons that will span 112 miles across East Anglia.
The network of pylons, from Norwich to Tilbury in Essex, would carry offshore windfarm-generated electricity.
National Grid says the new infrastructure will be able to transport 6 gigawatts - enough to power 6 million homes in East Anglia and across the country, helping the UK reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to lower energy bills in the long term.
However, this has been met with rage from the Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Pylons Action Group who say the plans will destroy the environment.
Rosie Pearson, founded the campaign group, as has been calling for an offshore grid instead:
"Last summer, 23,000 people signed a petition calling for an offshore grid instead of pylons.
"We know that 14 MPs support an offshore grid, 3 county councils, loads of district councils and parish councils.
"So an offshore grid is universally supported, it doesn't destroy communities, doesn't destroy habitats, and it's a better option financially.
"It saves ÂŁ2 billion in the East of England to do that. So we are really angry. The National Grid's come back with exactly the same proposal again."
The environmental impact
We asked Rosie why the campaign group are against pylons, and explained the impact they have on the landscape:
"Heritage is really important, and if you look at the numbers of listed buildings and important heritage assets, Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk feature in the top ten of all the counties in the country. We've got so much history. It's an amazing place to live.
"If you stick a 50 metre-high metal pylon in those landscapes, it changes it forever and especially when it's not needed, that makes people really angry."
Landscapes in Suffolk
Landscapes in Suffolk
"Everything in these pylon's path will be destroyed. So if there's a wood there, it will have to be ripped up. A hedge row has to get ripped up.
"We're in a climate crisis and emergency environmental crisis. The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world already.
"We shouldn't be ripping up habitats, and in addition, power lines are known to kill birds...
"Our region's amazing for bird life. We've got the whole eastern coast which has been put forward as a UNESCO superhighway because of migratory bird patterns.
"Those birds don't just fly out on the coast. Some of them come in land...
"Those are probably the two main things that really upset people and it's the pointlessness of it all."
What does National Grid say?
Liam Walker, Project Director for Norwich to Tilbury, commented: “The government’s net zero target means an increase in new renewable electricity generation such as offshore wind power.
“We’re proposing new infrastructure that will connect this green energy to the grid and allow clean electricity to power homes and businesses across East Anglia and the UK, boosting our home-grown energy security and progress towards net zero.
“The feedback we received in last year’s initial consultation has been valuable in helping us to further shape our proposals. This latest consultation is another part of our engagement with communities and stakeholders along the proposed route and we encourage people to share their views on the updated proposals.”