National Grid Delay Pylon Decision

Enough already!

I reproduce below a press release received yesterday evening from the County Council, which has never been shy about expressing its disapproval of electricity pylons!  Councillor James Finch, who is quoted below, repesents a Division that would be directly and adversely affected by National Grid's plans.

'Suffolk is celebrating today as National Grid announces a significant delay in it’s decision over the proposals to erect pylons across the county’s much loved landscape.

The decision on whether to erect electricity pylons between Bramford and Twinstead has been delayed by a number of years, signalling a further window of opportunity for the people of Suffolk to continue to campaign against the proposals.

National Grid has announced today that they now expect there to be a need for greater electricity connection in the early 2020’s rather than 2017. This is based upon information from companies proposing to build new power generation within East Anglia and when they intend to start producing electricity.

Suffolk County Council led the campaign against the proposals, urging National Grid to make significant adaptations by burying the entire transmission line underground, rather than leaving a large section of the line above ground in the form of pylons.

 James Finch, Suffolk County Councillor for Stour Valley, said:

“Today’s announcement is further evidence that the system is broken. That National Grid pursued a scheme for so long which was clearly not needed at this time is a farce. National Grid’s decision to suspend the project is therefore a victory not only for common sense, but for the people of Suffolk.

“Hopefully this decision is an indication that they are beginning to listen to what the county council and local people have been saying for years - and that equally, therefore, they have taken on board that any of their schemes in Suffolk should be entirely underground.

“It is indeed regrettable that communities across Suffolk and Essex have been ‘strung along’ for so long, but I sincerely hope National Grid recognises that Suffolk will not lay down in its fight against pylons. When National Grid does reappear, whilst we will continue to engage with them constructively, they will find us as resolute as ever in our defence of this county's natural beauty.

“In the meantime we mustn’t be complacent; the county council will continue to work with the other councils and local communities to use this pause as an opportunity to further lobby Government.”