Television presenter Carol Vorderman backs our campaign.
Woodspring MP Liam Fox has challenged the National Grid contention that underwater cables cannot link Hinkley to Avonmouth. Dr Fox, who is Shadow Defence Secretary, held high level talks about the proposed pylons which could dominate the North Somerset countryside, at Westminster with representatives of the electricity company. He was told the underwater option would be ‘very difficult, if it was possible at all’ because of the high tidal range and environmental designation of the Bristol Channel.
But since his meeting with David Mercer and Zee Mughal, of National Grid offices at the Strand, Dr Fox has been given information about the Neptune Regional Transmission System 500 kV HVDC Project. And now he has told Mr Mercer and Ms Mughal: “As you are probably aware, this is an interconnector system between New Jersey and Long Island and consists of 65 miles of undersea and underground cables. “The majority of this is underwater and I understand that the cost of this was some $600 million. “Clearly, technology does exist to make this possible and I would be grateful if you can let me know what studies you have looked at to come to the conclusion that such a project would not be viable in the UK.”
In an open letter to his constituents Dr Fox said: “Earlier this month I meet National Grid representatives to discuss electricity pylons in North Somerset which has been a cause of great anxiety for many of my constituents.” He said legislation for overhead lines is laid out by the Infrastructure Planning Commission, which is is an independent body which makes decisions on applications for nationally significant infrastructure projects including large scale facilities that support the economy and vital public services.
Its recommendations are included in the Planning Act 2008 and do not require planning permission from North Somerset Council. Dr Fox said: “No decision is likely to be reached until autumn 2012 and the new system needs to be in place by 2017.” The National Grid has given North Somerset people until the beginning of January 2010 to comment on two overland options for 153ft high pylons straddling the green fields from Wraxall to Tickenham via Backwell Lake or The Causeway coming close to homes, schools and nature reserves.
Dr Fox said: “The new lines will carry 400,000 volts, compared to the current level of 132,000 volts, so they will need to be kept higher for safety reasons. “This inevitably means taller pylons though the numbers will be reduced from around four pylons per kilometre to around three pylons.
“This is due to the much higher output from Hinkley C, at around 3,600 megawatts, compared to Hinkley B, at 1,300 megawatts. “The company told me that there has been overwhelming support for corridor one, which mirrors my own mailbag.
“I told them that the environmental damage proposed by route two was utterly unacceptable and I would strongly oppose it. “We discussed the partial undergrounding of lines and the proposed underwater route. “They explained that the vastly increased cost of underground cables would have to be passed on to electricity customers. “
Dr Fox concluded if route one was chosen then it should be moved back from the homes at The Causeway but first he would like to see the financial and technical study for an undersea/underground option.
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