FURIOUS campaigners have slammed National Grid for “throwing East Anglia under a bus” in its vision for 110 miles of pylons stretching across the countryside.
A new report published by National Grid Electricity System Operator says the plans play “a key part” in enabling the role offshore wind has in meeting the Government's target for net zero.
But action group Essex Suffolk Norfolk Pylons lambasted the firm for the “short-sighted and shameful” report which would see the 50-metre pylons tear through the three counties.
Group spokeswoman Rosie Pearson said: “This new report fails abysmally to address the concerns of more than 21,000 who have signed a petition calling to have this network offshore.
“East Anglia is being thrown under a bus while significant additional offshore networking over much longer distances has been recommended for Scotland and north England.”
Under the current blueprints, the pylon network will run south easterly past Washbrook and Copdock and East Bergholt until it crosses the border into the Colchester district, running underground past Dedham, Langham and crossing the A12.
Colchester Council leader David King and MP Will Quince have both already thrown their weight behind calls for the plans to be rethought.
Mrs Pearson added: “Communities, countryside and habitats along National Grid’s ‘East Anglia GREEN’ pylon route have been ignored - and that is completely unacceptable.
“Energy is not clean and green when transporting it to London wreaks unnecessary havoc on wildlife and communities.
“For far too long wind farm operators and National Grid have been allowed to get away with their harmful piecemeal approach, and, under today’s report, this will continue.
“But regardless of this temporary setback we will continue to battle for a strategic offshore approach and actively oppose the damaging National Grid proposal.”
The National Grid report states the project in its entirety will reducing cumulative carbon dioxide emissions from gas powered generation between 2030 and 2032 by two million tonnes.
The report reads: “The objective of the Offshore Transmission Network Review is to ‘ensure the transmission connections for offshore wind generation are delivered in the most appropriate way.
“This will be done with a view to finding the appropriate balance between environmental, social and economic costs’’.
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