Pylon activists appeal to the next government

A row of pylons — The proposed new network of pylons is part of what National Grid is calling its Great Grid Modernization (BBC)

Activists trying to stop the planned construction of a network of electricity pylons in Lincolnshire are calling on the new government to stop the project.

No Pylons Lincolnshire has been set to oppose an 87-mile electricity cable planned for the county. The route from Grimsby to Walpole, just over the border in Norfolk, will require 50m pylons every 300m.

National Grid says the facility is essential to bringing more electricity from offshore wind turbines to land.

However, there are concerns about the visual impact of this project on the landscape of farms and tourism businesses.

Nicola Hughes touches the pylon model with her left hand — Nicola Hughes builds models to illustrate the scale of the proposed pylons (BBC)

Nicola Hughes, a member of the No Pylons Lincolnshire movement, said the next government should halt the project and urgently review its planning policy.

“It was terrifying. People lost sleep, people were panicking about the threat,” she said.

Mrs Hughes spent many hours in her workshop creating models of the structures out of matchsticks to give people a sense of scale.

He has broader concerns about what he calls “rural industrialization” to support renewable energy generation.

“We support green energy, that’s not a problem. Solar panels? Yes, in homes. Battery storage? Yes, in your home. But not using farmland, not polluting our environment,” she said.

East Coast National Grid Map — The 87-mile pylon route will carry electricity from offshore wind farms through Lincolnshire to a substation at Walpole (BBC)

Anti-pylon campaigners have been left incensed by comments made by Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer in a recent BBC interview.

Sir Keir was asked on Panorama if he would tell people who object to electricity pylons or housing estates being built near their homes that they must make sure they are built.

He said, “Yes, we’re going to have to be tough. We’re going to have to change the way things are done.”

Ms Hughes said she was “outraged” by the comments.

The Conservatives said they would review planning guidance on pylons. Their manifesto said: “During the review we will consider moving to a presumption in favor of underground sites where costs are competitive.”

The Liberal Democrats have raised concerns about the visual impact of the pylons and want underground power lines to always be taken into account.

Richard Tice, Reform UK’s candidate for Boston and Skegness, told BBC Radio Lincolnshire that if elected he would “campaign intensely against them”.

The two contractors blurred their vision as they looked at the pylon — National Grid says the cable will transmit enough energy to power six million homes and businesses (National Grid)

A National Grid spokesman said: “Our proposals in Lincolnshire are a key part of the new electricity infrastructure needed to help the UK achieve net zero emissions.

“With demand for electricity set to double, a new onshore electricity network is needed to connect more of Lincolnshire’s predominantly onshore electricity projects, including solar and battery storage and offshore wind.

“Grimsby to Walpole will carry enough clean energy to power six million homes and businesses, bringing more affordable, safer and cleaner UK-generated electricity to the people of Lincolnshire and beyond.”

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