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Pylons in South Suffolk

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James Cartlidge MP

On this page you will find information and updates regarding National Grid's proposals to reinforce the high voltage electricity transmission network in our region.

Through National Grid's plans to reinforce the network, they have proposed two projects specific to South Suffolk, the first being Bramford to Twinstead in March 2021, and East Anglia GREEN in April 2022, now known as Norwich to Tilbury.

I understand the impact that these pylon proposals can have on the countryside and, in particular, the detrimental affect to people's lives. As such, alongside my neighbouring MP colleagues, we set up a group called OffSET (Off Shore Electricity-Grid Task Force) in October 2021 and have been campaigning together for an Offshore grid ever since.

In the case of the Norwich to Tilbury pylon proposals, we repeatedly lobbied the Government for an independent assessment of alternative transmission options, including offshore and undergrounding. This study was finally undertaken by National Grid ESO (now NESO) and they published their study in March 2024. 

Despite being constantly told by National Grid that there were no credible and cost-effective alternatives to pylons, ESO found that by using HVDC cables underground, the project could be delivered at a comparable or lower cost than pylons. This is assuming a baseline of 2034 and, whilst some may say that pylons could be delivered more quickly, it must be evident from the level of opposition that pylons would receive far more legal challenge.

You can find various letters below that OffSET MP's and I have sent to National Grid and Energy Ministers regarding our objections to the pylon proposals.

Attachments

Attachment Size
Joint MP letter to Energy Minister, Greg Hands MP - May 2022 (516.7 KB) 516.7 KB
J Cartlidge response to EA GREEN consultation - June 2022 (645.96 KB) 645.96 KB
Second joint MP letter to Energy Minister - July 2022 (289.23 KB) 289.23 KB
J Cartlidge letter to CEO of National Grid July 22 (583.25 KB) 583.25 KB
Suffolk County Council letter to National Grid July 2022 (493.17 KB) 493.17 KB
J Cartlidge MP letter to National Grid CEO following EA GREEN survey 2.9.22 (568.78 KB) 568.78 KB
J Cartlidge MP letter to Greg Hands MP following survey 2.9.22 (478.27 KB) 478.27 KB
National Grid letter to J Cartlidge Sept 22 - In response to survey (112.35 KB) 112.35 KB
National Grid response to OffSET MPs Oct 22 (226.76 KB) 226.76 KB
J Cartlidge MP letter to National Grid Oct 22 (242.34 KB) 242.34 KB
National Grid response to Cartlidge Nov 22 (128.84 KB) 128.84 KB
Minister Stuart response to calls for a review Dec 22 (136.49 KB) 136.49 KB
National Grid response to OffSET Oct 22 - Updated lifetime costs Jan 23 (260.14 KB) 260.14 KB
Minister Stuart's letter to East Anglian Communities Jan 23 (80.89 KB) 80.89 KB
Minister Stuart response to OffSET March 23 (113.11 KB) 113.11 KB
OffSET letter to National Grid CEO - Delaying non-statutory consultation June 23 (130.45 KB) 130.45 KB
National Grid response June 23 (153.81 KB) 153.81 KB
J Cartlidge MP letter to Minister Bowie - July 23 (150.63 KB) 150.63 KB
Minister Bowie letter to J Cartlidge - Aug 23 (97.54 KB) 97.54 KB
J Cartlidge response to Norwich to Tilbury consultation - August 23 (120.91 KB) 120.91 KB
J Cartlidge letter to National Grid - Feb 2024 (168.51 KB) 168.51 KB
National Grid response to J Cartlidge Feb24 (66.49 KB) 66.49 KB
J Cartlidge MP response to N to T statutory consultation - July 24 (181.03 KB) 181.03 KB
J Cartlidge MP letter to Secretary of State - Norwich to Tilbury - July 24 (398.17 KB) 398.17 KB
Secretary of State response to J Cartlidge MP Sept 24 (49.7 KB) 49.7 KB
Energy Minister letter to J Cartlidge MP - OCSS Outcome Sept 24 (103.29 KB) 103.29 KB
Joint MP letter to NESO October 2024 (473.12 KB) 473.12 KB
NESO response to Joint MP letter - Jan 2025 (107.14 KB) 107.14 KB
J Cartlidge MP letter to National Grid January 2025 (179.28 KB) 179.28 KB
My Response to National Grid's Suffolk 6 Consultation March 25 (399.07 KB) 399.07 KB

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To read my formal response to National Grid's Norwich to Tilbury consultation in July 2024, please see HERE.

James Cartlidge MP Member of Parliament for South Suffolk

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