20,000 signatures reached
To: National Grid and The Energy Minister
SAY NO TO 180km of Essex Suffolk Norfolk pylons - and build a strategic offshore grid instead
Proposals for power lines and pylons over 180km of Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex’s beautiful countryside between Norwich & Tilbury must be shelved. National Grid has ignored everyone who signed this petition and come back for a second time with a pylons consultation. WE NEED PEOPLE TO KEEP SIGNING!
A strategic offshore grid is needed instead.
National Grid tells us offshore is more expensive. THAT'S NOT TRUE!! An integrated offshore grid in the North Sea was shown by another part of National Grid (known as ESO) in 2020 to:
- save £2billion
- reduce overall infrastructure by 50%
- be better for the environment and communities.
National Grid tells us planning rules require it to build pylons. THAT'S NOT TRUE, EITHER!
National Grid tells us that an integrated offshore grid isn't technically possible. THAT'S NOT TRUE, EITHER! The same report by National Grid ESO in 2020 found no 'showstoppers. Our continental neighbours are already putting an integrated offshore grid in place, including offshore energy islands.
Instead, National Grid’s Norwich-Tilbury pylons project will industrialise the precious, historic and rural landscapes of East Anglia with 50-metre high pylons. Tourist and hospitality businesses that are dependent on their landscape will be at risk and farmers will see their farms criss-crossed by pylons. Thousands of trees may be lost to make way for the pylons. There are potential public health risks associated with high transmission power lines.
We need to protect East Anglia’s stunning landscapes - and save consumers £2billion.
Only one option has been presented to the public, and there are other alternatives that need to be assessed and presented for consultation.
We call on the government to:
• Protect East Anglia’s landscapes. They are precious, historic and beautiful and must not be descecrated by pylons.
• Stop the piecemeal, unplanned and damaging approach and instead put in place an integrated offshore grid for the east of England. The power is generated offshore and needed in London and the south - keep it offshore until it gets there. Don't throw the East of England under a bus.
A strategic offshore grid is needed instead.
National Grid tells us offshore is more expensive. THAT'S NOT TRUE!! An integrated offshore grid in the North Sea was shown by another part of National Grid (known as ESO) in 2020 to:
- save £2billion
- reduce overall infrastructure by 50%
- be better for the environment and communities.
National Grid tells us planning rules require it to build pylons. THAT'S NOT TRUE, EITHER!
National Grid tells us that an integrated offshore grid isn't technically possible. THAT'S NOT TRUE, EITHER! The same report by National Grid ESO in 2020 found no 'showstoppers. Our continental neighbours are already putting an integrated offshore grid in place, including offshore energy islands.
Instead, National Grid’s Norwich-Tilbury pylons project will industrialise the precious, historic and rural landscapes of East Anglia with 50-metre high pylons. Tourist and hospitality businesses that are dependent on their landscape will be at risk and farmers will see their farms criss-crossed by pylons. Thousands of trees may be lost to make way for the pylons. There are potential public health risks associated with high transmission power lines.
We need to protect East Anglia’s stunning landscapes - and save consumers £2billion.
Only one option has been presented to the public, and there are other alternatives that need to be assessed and presented for consultation.
We call on the government to:
• Protect East Anglia’s landscapes. They are precious, historic and beautiful and must not be descecrated by pylons.
• Stop the piecemeal, unplanned and damaging approach and instead put in place an integrated offshore grid for the east of England. The power is generated offshore and needed in London and the south - keep it offshore until it gets there. Don't throw the East of England under a bus.
Why is this important?
The East of England's precious historic landscapes and beautiful countryside are at risk from this proposal to build 180km of 50-metre high pylons between Norwich and Tilbury. This is not the right way to do things. We need an integrated offshore grid to take the power from where it is produced to where it's needed. An integrated offshore grid is better for consumers, communities, countryside, coastlines and marine life.
