Prefered Route For Pylons

National Grid have outlined their plans for overhead power lines through Constable Country in Suffolk.

The company will be giving detailed consideration to areas where placing cables underground would be appropriate during the next phase of consultation.

National Grid are set to replace existing pylons between Bramford and Twinstead in Suffolk.

The route runs alongside an existing 400,000 volt National Grid overhead line and contains a UK Power Networks 132,000 volt line. Under this option National Grid would take down the 132,000 volt line from Burstall Bridge to Twinstead Tee and build a new 400,000 volt overhead line.

 A new substation will be needed west of Twinstead Tee to secure power supplies to the UK Power Networks system.

National Grid reached its decision after consultation began in October 2009 and received more than 3,000 pieces of feedback.

There've been lots of protests since the proposals were made two years ago but the company says they've been taking all views into account before they do anything.

County Councillor Guy McGregor said:

“The route chosen by National Grid is the lesser of four evils, but it somewhat misses the point. We believe the debate should not be about which route the pylons should take but about whether pylons are necessary in the first place. There is no doubt the existing electricity network cannot cope with the expected increase in demand, but building more and more pylons is not the answer."

"Today we are talking about pylons across the Dedham Vale, but we already know that pylons between Lowestoft and Diss, potentially crossing the Broads, are a very real possibility."

During the summer the company will be holding six public information events to explain how it reached its decision and how people can get involved in the next stage of consultation, starting on Monday (18 July) at Hadleigh Town Hall, from 3pm to 8.30pm, and Tuesday (19 July) at Wickham St Paul Village Hall, from 3pm to 8.30pm.

Stage 2 is due to start in the autumn and is expected to take a year. Local people will be able to participate in a variety of ways including independently-chaired community forums and public consultation events. National Grid will also be talking to people with an interest in the land, local authorities, environmental bodies and other organisations.

To find out more information about the project you can visit National Grid's Website: www.nationalgrid.com/bramford-twinstead; email: bramford-twinstead@uk.ngrid.com; call the freephone 0800 377 7340 or write to the freepost address at Freepost National Grid Connections.