Major concerns over pylons project

28 October 2009

A BLIGHT on the countryside and major health concerns - just a few of the issues raised by residents about a new 400,000 volt power line planned for the district.

National Grid has been asked to create a 37 mile-long line from the new EDF Energy power station, Hinkley Point C, to an Avonmouth substation.

This will go across North Somerset and two route corridors have been proposed so far - one from Portishead between Nailsea and Backwell and another between Nailsea and Clevedon.

The first stage of public consultation began this month, giving residents the chance to ask questions and raise concerns.

Sue and Chris Bales of Cheddar Close, Nailsea, said: "This line should go under ground.

"It would be very wrong to put a new power line across the south of Nailsea where it is so close to houses and also Backwell Lake."

More Nailsea residents, Anne and Richard Morrison, said: "We are concerned about the health implications and our property being devalued."

Residents have also asked questions about the height of the new pylons, which will be 46m high, compared with the existing 26m pylons in the area.

National Grid major projects manager David Mercer said: "We want the community's views before any decision is made on the final route.

"National Grid considers health and safety a priority and the new line will meet Government standards for electric and magnetic fields.

"The pylons will need to be higher because the line will carry a much larger voltage than the current 132,000-volt lines in the area."

Residents have also asked why one of the route corridors goes through countryside where there are no pylons at the moment.

Mr Mercer said: "The two corridors are away from areas such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Parks and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

"We have looked at the best routes to take and the proposed corridors are the best options for the environment."

To reduce the impact on residents and the countryside, Wraxall and Failand Parish Council chairman Chris Ambrose, along with North Somerset councillor for Nailsea, Andy Cole, has suggested running the line along the Severn Estuary.

However, Mr Mercer has explained that to even run the power line underground would be about 12 times more expensive.

He added: "If an underground line fails it takes a long time to repair - an overhead cable can be fixed straight away.

"To put the line under the Severn Estuary would cost even more and there would be major environmental restrictions."



Some more details about the power line project:

* In the next five to 10 years, a quarter of the UK's power stations are expected to close, hence the need for a new one at Hinkley Point C. The power line is needed to connect this facility with National Grid's network.

* Route corridor one travels from Avonmouth past north west Portishead, over Clapton-in-Gordano, to the north and west of Nailsea over Tickenham Moor, south west past Kenn before going south toward Hewish. This route tends to follow existing power lines.

* Route corridor two goes from Avonmouth past north west Portishead, south over Wraxall, round the east and south of Nailsea, between Nailsea and Backwell where there are currently no power lines, south west between Yatton and Kingston Seymour before going south to Hewish.

* The current stage of public consultation will run until January.

An actual route the pylons will follow will then be devised within the preferred corridor.

From February to March, further consultation will take place before a final decision is made.

* National Grid plans to submit its proposals to the Government's Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC), which is responsible for making decisions on significant infrastructure applications, in summer 2011 and construction is planned for between 2012-2017.

* Residents wanting to put their views forward can email hinkleyconnection@uk.ngrid.com, call 0800 377 7347 or write to Freepost RRKX/ EDGK / XXHT, Hinkley C Connection Project, Consultation Response, PO Box 5689, London, W1A 4FG.

* To find out more about the project visit www.nationalgrid.com/hinkleyconnection