Reform UK leaders reject 'low-height' pylons plan

MP Richard Tice is among those opposing plans for more pylons

Reform UK leaders in Lincolnshire have pledged to use "all our local powers" to prevent the construction of a new overhead electricity line.

National Grid has announced revised plans for the 87-mile (140km) route between Grimsby and Walpole, including "low height" pylons on one stretch, amid concerns about the potential impact on the countryside.

In a joint statement, Lincolnshire major Dame Andrea Jenkyns, country council leader Sean Matthews and Boston and Skegness MP Richard Tice said the scheme prioritised cost over the environment and would have a "devastating impact".

National Grid said it was working with communities to "shape the plans and minimise the impact on the local landscape".

Under the new proposals, the height of pylons would be reduced from 50m (164ft) to 40m (131ft) along a 4.3-mile section of the route in the Lincolnshire Wolds, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

'Devastating impact'

The Reform statement called on National Grid to halt the plan and "pursue less intrusive solutions".

"Lincolnshire will not be a dumping ground for outdated and ugly infrastructure. Nor will it be a dumping ground for net-zero projects," it added.

National Grid has argued that the cost of the pylon scheme would be £1.6bn, compared with at least £4.8bn for an underground cable and £4.2bn for a subsea cable.

The previous Conservative administration of Lincolnshire County Council criticised the utility company for a lack of transparency over costs and urged energy watchdog Ofgem to scrap the plans.

A spokesperson for National Grid said the existing electricity network did not "have the capacity to deliver the increasing demand for electricity".

The Grimsby to Walpole project would lower electricity bills and the overhead line proposal was "far cheaper than alternatives", they added.

A consultation on the plans will run from June 11 to August 6.

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