Pylon Route Across The West
3 September 2013, 12:18 | Updated: 10 September 2013, 11:03
National Grid has announced the details of the new 400,000 volt electricity connection for the proposed generation in the South West.
More than 40,000 properties between Bridgwater and Avonmouth have received a newsletter giving details of the exact route for the planned connection, necessary related work and the measures that have been taken to reduce its effects in the landscape.
These include more than five miles (eight kilometres) of the route through the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty being buried leaving this area free from pylons for the first time in 40 years, around 90 pylons disappearing from the Somerset landscape and the new lower height T-pylon is proposed for the majority of the overhead route.
At 35 metres tall, the T-pylon is a third shorter than the traditional lattice pylon. This could be the first time the design is used.
A consultation is now running until Tuesday 29 October with he draft proposals available to view at a series of exhibitions and at National Grid's information hubs where a computer 'fly through' will show exactly how the connection could look in the landscape.
In addition, a mobile consultation vehicle will be out and about at various venues in the region. At each of these events people will be able to give their opinions.
Details of the events are available on the project website.
Peter Bryant, senior project manager said: ''Over the past four years we have listened to what the public has told us and this has played a big part in how we've developed our plans. We know people are concerned about the connection's impact on the landscape. We have tried to strike the best balance between reducing this and being mindful of the cost that ends up on everyone’s bills from all our connection projects around the country.
"Based on what people have told us and the guidelines we have to follow, we believe we have the balance right but now we're asking people to come along to our consultation events and tell us what they think. This could be the last chance they have of influencing our proposals before we submit our planning application in early 2014."
The connection is needed to make sure the country continues to have reliable supplies of electricity into the future. It will carry power from the proposed new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point and other new sources of energy planned in the South West.