Residents raise worries over pylon disruption

Residents in an Essex town have raised concerns about potential disruption caused by an electricity infrastructure project.

People living in Linford, near Tilbury, said plans to move some pylons and build a new substation could make it "very difficult" for locals to get around.

National Grid has proposed to build a new substation between Southfields and Linford, as part of the Norwich to Tilbury project.

The organisation said the changes would remove the need for 4.5km (2.8 miles) of underground cabling, adding it was committed to engaging with residents.

National Grid wants to install 114 miles (180km) of pylons between Norfolk and Essex to carry electricity produced by offshore wind farms.

Following public consultation, it has revealed proposed changes to the plan, which include building a new substation 5km (3.1 miles) north of the existing Tilbury substation and moving some pylons further south.

The organisation said this would avoid extending Tilbury substation and remove the need for underground cabling in the area. It also planned to take down some pylons and station them further south, away from areas like Linford.

A consultation for the proposed changes is open for another few weeks.

Peter Clark, 69, has lived in his house in Linford for 38 years and said the updated plan would be "more beneficial" for locals, with the pylons in particular being moved further away.

However, the retiree warned that if the project overran it could clash with other large-scale works, adding it would "make it very difficult for people to operate their lives in general".

The proposed Lower Thames Crossing is also meant to be built just to the west of Linford, under latest plans.

Mr Clark said it was "inevitable" that the area would see more infrastructure because it is one of the least developed parts of Thurrock. He pointed out that most building had previously been closer to the M25.

He also cast doubt over the impact any public consultation would have on the final Norwich to Tilbury plans, adding: "Whatever I say will never be taken into consideration."

Ben Pearce, 43, moved to Linford eight years ago and said the town had a "great community feel" and the area was "perfect for raising a young family".

But he was worried the plan, along with other projects, could mean the benefits of the quiet town "could be taken away in 10 years", with the disruption due to construction being his main concern.

Mr Pearce, whose house backs on to fields where two pylons will now be moved, said the potential travel disruption was the biggest area of concern, with the town only having one road to get in and out.

The service centre manager added that while he would attend a consultation meeting, residents felt they were being ignored. He argued that other projects like the Lower Thames Crossing had not been altered as a result of asking for public opinion.

A National Grid spokesperson said: "We are committed to meaningful community engagement as we develop our proposals. After carefully considering feedback from our public consultation last summer, we have identified some places where we could make changes.

"We are currently consulting how the project could connect into Tilbury. Building a new substation at the site previously planned for a cable sealing end compound, and connecting into existing overhead lines, avoids extending the existing substation and removes the need to construct approximately 4.5km of underground cabling through a very congested area."

Residents can contribute to the public consultation until 23:59 on 17 April.

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