Edward has submitted his formal response to National Grid's Stage 1 Consultation on its Great Grid Upgrade 'Weston Marsh to East Leicestershire' proposals.
Following his initial response, and meeting with the National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) Project Team in Parliament in July, in his detailed letter to the consultation team, Edward highlighted local concerns about the potential impacts of a new 400,000 volt overhead powerline and pylons on rural communities and the rural landscape along its outline route from Lincolnshire, through the east of the borough, to a new substation near Wartnaby/ Saxelbye, while recognising the importance of upgrading our energy infrastructure.
While much of the Grid dates back many decades, and with the ever-growing need for electrical power, and for increased resilience in the distribution of that power through the Grid to keep the lights on, nationally improvements to the UK's energy Grid are needed, there do remain a number of unanswered questions at this stage about these specific proposals, and concerns that local residents want to see addressed. In his consultation response, Edward calls on NGET to provide clear information to communities on the rationale both for the new powerlines in this location, and for the broad route proposed, as well as for them to commit to on-going engagement with those local communities.
Local residents' initial concerns and questions highlight the scale of the proposed new substation near the rural villages of Wartnaby and Saxelbye to connect the new powerlines to the existing high voltage network; as well as the likely significant impact the new powerlines and pylons would have on the picturesque, and agriculturally productive, countryside in this area, on the natural environment, and potentially on small villages like Holwell, Ab Kettleby, Grimston, and other nearby villages. Edward has called on NGET to clarify both the process ahead of a likely decision in 2029, and who/ which body will ultimately make the final decision; on the scope for the suggested route to be altered following consultation; on the Government policy constraints on National Grid's ability to put cables underground; and on how local people will continue to be genuinely consulted and engaged in the months and years ahead.
Edward said: "I do fully recognise the importance of a resilient energy Grid, and of upgrading our energy infrastructure, but the concerns raised by local residents about the powerlines and pylons, and the proposed new substation and their potential impacts, are genuine ones which NGET must listen to and treat seriously. The consultation, proposal development process, and decision-making process is a lengthy one lasting a number of years, and it is vital that as that process occurs National Grid engage transparently and genuinely throughout with local communities and residents, and that the issues they raise are responded to properly. I will continue, in the months and years ahead, to do all I can to ensure that the views of my constituents are heard loud and clear by NGET."
