News Release from Alex Burghart MP
Alex Burghart MP Continues Opposition to Pylon Proposals
Brentwood and Ongar MP has told Ingatestone, Hutton and West Horndon residents attending a public meeting that he will continue to oppose National Grid’s proposal to install an intrusive line of huge pylons from Norwich to Tilbury.
The line of pylons would affect Alex’s constituents living in Ingatestone, Hutton and West Horndon. Alex told 60 local people, who attended his meeting in Ingatestone today (Thursday 23rd Nov) that Members of Parliament in constituencies impacted by the proposals are united in their fight against the pylons:
“We meet regularly and have made the case to Ministers that it would be quite wrong not to have a public discussion weighing up the pros and cons of an onshore transmission system versus an offshore one. We will continue to campaign for an offshore option, and to emphasise the effect an onshore line of pylons would have on lives, homes and communities.”
The County Councils of Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk commissioned an independent report which was undertaken by Hiorns Smart Energy Networks. Crucially, this argues the need for additional transmission capacity would be closer to 2035 than National Grid’s suggested “optimum delivery date” of 2030.
Alex said:
“The development of technology which would support an offshore option is happening incredibly fast. We want to make sure any new transmission capacity is at the cutting edge of this technological advance, and not just use old methods because they are there now. The Hiorns report findings give us that time.”
Conservative County Councillors Louise McKinlay and Lesley Wagland supported Alex at the meeting, and made it clear residents need to keep making their views known through the next National Grid consultation.
Cllr Wagland said: “There have already been two rounds of informal consultation but there will be a third, and residents need to put their views forward in that consultation. We must keep going, and not let numbers of responses dwindle.”
Cllr McKinlay added: “All of this in this room are standing shoulder to shoulder on what needs to be done to fight the proposals. Essex County Council and our local MPs will continue to support an offshore option.”
Alex Burghart is publishing regular updates on the campaign on his website at www.alexburghart.org.uk and would encourage anyone who wants to attend future meetings or receive updates to contact him.
ENDS
