Essex Suffolk Norfolk pylons campaigner Rosie Pearson welcomed the 'great news' that a pylon review would now be held (Image: Archant/Susan Lang)
Campaigners and MPs have welcomed the 'great news' that the Government has agreed to review plans to build 110 miles of 50-metre-high pylons across the Suffolk and Essex countryside.
South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge has announced that the review, by electricity firm National Grid's Electricity System Operator (ESO), will consider 'offshore routes' as a possible alternative to routing the pylons through the rural areas.
In January, energy and climate minister Graham Stuart said a review was 'not the best approach', much to the annoyance of campaigners, but there now appears to have been a U-turn.
South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge has announced that the review, by electricity firm National Grid's Electricity System Operator (ESO), will consider 'offshore routes' as a possible alternative to routing the pylons through the rural areas.
In January, energy and climate minister Graham Stuart said a review was 'not the best approach', much to the annoyance of campaigners, but there now appears to have been a U-turn.
But on Thursday, Rosie Pearson, head of Essex Suffolk Norfolk Pylons, said: "It is great because it sounds like they have listened and they are looking at a whole variety of options and trying to do a co-ordinated approach with offshore as one of the options."
But on Thursday, Rosie Pearson, head of Essex Suffolk Norfolk Pylons, said: "It is great because it sounds like they have listened and they are looking at a whole variety of options and trying to do a co-ordinated approach with offshore as one of the options."
Local MPs along the route have also been calling for a review and have formed their own group, the Offshore Electricity Grid Taskforce (OffSET).
Mr Cartlidge said the review was 'not of itself a guarantee' that 'onshore reinforcement' would not be needed.
But he added: "However, what my constituents have wanted is a fair process, with open discussion of the relative merits of onshore and offshore options.
"It now appears that we will get that information, so that a proper debate can proceed and I would strongly encourage ESO to involve my constituents in that process as much as possible.”
His fellow MP Sir Bernard Jenkin, who represents Harwich and North Essex, said: “It’s about time that the views of our constituents were taken into consideration, so I am grateful that National Grid and the ESO have listened.
"Ministers have responded too. The so-called consultation was becoming a joke, without proper consideration of the alternatives. This is not going to solve the problem we face, but it starts to open up the possibilities of viable alternatives."
North Ipswich and Central Suffolk MP Dan Poulter said delivering greater reliability and capacity in energy supplies, as well as increased energy security, should not come at a cost to the countryside.
He added: "Working together with my fellow East Anglian colleagues, we have been calling for offshore options to be fully explored.
"So while I welcome this independent review, it is important that National Grid now come forward with open and transparent information so that we are all aware of the onshore and offshore options, rather than the currently proposed East Anglian Green corridor”.
Suffolk Coastal MP Therese Coffey said she had consistently made it clear that landscapes and communities should be protected by placing infrastructure in appropriate locations.
She added: "I, therefore, welcome the commitment by ESO to consider 'offshore routes' for electricity transmission, but it’s clear National Grid needs to go a step further and also get on with assessing brownfield sites as alternatives to already proposed onshore infrastructure.
"It’s vital that a proper comparative assessment of the environmental, social and economic impacts is carried out before these connections proceed further.”
Mr Jenkin was due to speak at a meeting at the Royal Hospital School in Holbrook on Thursday, arranged by Essex Suffolk Norfolk Pylons to discuss alternatives to pylons, including an offshore grid and solar power.
Published by the East Anglian Daily Times.
