East Anglia pylons: Campaigners write letter to King for support

A group campaigning against a new pylon network has written to King Charles III for his support.

The route proposed by the National Grid would stretch 110 miles (160km) from Norwich to Tilbury in Essex.

Martin Snook, who drafted the letter, said the pylons were "a bad solution that will leave an awful legacy".

A National Grid spokesperson said: "The project is one of the essential network upgrades needed to deliver on the UK's net zero targets."

They said that, without it, "cleaner, greener energy generated offshore would not be able to be transported to homes and businesses across the country".

Mr Snook, a Colchester-based chartered engineer, said: "We decided to contact King Charles at this point because we believe that, as head of state, he should be aware of what is going on before it is too late to change course."

"It will cause untold damage to the environment and communities," he added.

Opponents to the proposal want planners to look at alternative routes under the sea off the Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex coast.

Rosie Pearson, from Essex Suffolk Norfolk Pylons founder, said they approached the King knowing how "committed" he was to environmental conservation.

"We are aware he doesn't intervene in political disputes but he may be able to help persuade the government to consider the offshore alternative we as a group have researched and costed," she said.

"Communities and the environment will suffer greatly from this plan."

The National Grid has agreed that one section of the route should go underground - in the Dedham Vale area of outstanding natural beauty on the Essex-Suffolk border.

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