Not enough details about power line

25 February 2010

NATIONAL Grid has been warned it has not provided enough information about proposals for a huge power line planned for North Somerset.

Representatives of the energy giant have been advised by the Government's Infrastructure Planning Committee (IPC) that 'substantially more work needs to be done to increase the level of understanding in the respective local communities'.

This includes providing more information on the environmental, cost and technical implications of undergrounding the line or putting it under the sea.

The IPC has advised that National Grid should resolve this issue before beginning a second stage of consultation.

Since National Grid announced its plans for a 400,000 volt power line, linking Hinkley Point C with a substation at Avonmouth, many pressure groups have been set up to campaign against them.

The 37-mile line would feature pylons as high as 50m, prompting many to call for the line to be put underground or undersea instead.

As part of its initial consultation, National Grid put forward two proposed route corridors for the over ground line and asked people to choose which one they would prefer. An underground or undersea option was not put forward.

The IPC has now advised National Grid about the risks of identifying the initial route options and then setting out the case against undergrounding or an undersea route without explaining in full why this should not be taken forward.

An IPC statement said: "This approach could be seen as predetermining the choice of route and cloud the approach of all to any subsequent consultation."

To help resolve the situation, the IPC has suggested setting up a meeting between National Grid and other interested parties to clarify the extent and nature of concerns and objections against the power line plans.

It could also be used to discuss the consultation process and National Grid's approach Grid to this.

Once all issues are resolved, National Grid decides on a route for the power line and all consultation is completed, the final plans will be submitted to the IPC for a final decision.

A National Grid spokesman said: "National Grid is currently reviewing all the feedback received during the first stage of public consultation about plans to connect the proposed new power station at Hinkley Point C to the national electricity transmission network.

"This feedback is very important to us and plays an important role in any decisions we make.

"We are carefully considering the comments and recommendations that we have received and will announce how we plan to move forward when this is complete.

"At a recent meeting between ourselves and the Infrastructure Planning Commission we reflected upon the first stage of consultation.

"A number of issues were discussed and will be announcing how we will be addressing these issues shortly."