Call for Lincolnshire to be included in review after National Grid U-turn on pylon proposals

A diagram commissioned by Crown Estates to show what a grid without pylons could look like

In a major development from National Grid, which is currently consulting over its initial proposals that could see 180km of pylons across East Anglia and the East of England, the company has now agreed to conduct a new transmission review.

The Standard previously reported that Lincolnshire County Council has claimed the installation of pylons would ‘devastate the county’s area of natural beauty and impact its £650m a year coastal tourism economy’ – and it supports an offshore alternative and says these ‘should be included in the review’.

Rosie Pearson, founder of Essex Suffolk Norfolk Pylons Action Group, says while the new transmission review is an important step forward in the fight to win agreement on a coordinated offshore grid, the protest group remains highly critical of the protocol around the review process.

She said: “Whilst we obviously welcome the change of heart, we are far from happy that National Grid has not yet postponed its planned second consultation process. NG must delay that second consultation until the review results are known - If not it would appear that the review is not independent and the pylons decision has already been made.”

The review decision comes after months of campaigning by pressure groups including Essex Suffolk Norfolk Pylons and locally Addlethorpe Parish Council, backed by a number of MPs and a 23,000-strong petition.

Coun Colin Davie, executive councillor for economy and place at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Now that National Grid have agreed to a transmission review to relook at the offshore grid opportunities for East Anglia, it’s essential that Lincolnshire is included in their review so the whole region from Humberside to the Thames is properly assessed.

"I am clear that an offshore solution would be best to protect our tourism and natural environment of the Lincolnshire coast and will be the most cost-effective solution for the taxpayer.”

A National Grid ESO spokesperson said: “Alternative transmission reinforcement options will be developed by National Grid Electricity Transmission and will include onshore and offshore options that meet required network need.”