NELC leader Philip Jackson says opposition to National Grid's pylons scheme is 'growing by the day'

The National Grid's preferred route for the line is overhead from Grimsby West to Walpole in North Norfolk 

NORTH East Lincolnshire Council leader Cllr Philip Jackson says opposition to National Grid's electricity pylons proposal for Lincolnshire is "growing by the day".

Cllr Jackson, whose Waltham ward could be affected by the project, says the authority backs the campaign against an 87-mile long, high-voltage electricity line between Grimsby West and North Norfolk being installed overhead. 

Like others, he is dismayed by the potential visual and environmental impacts of 50-metre high pylons traversing the Lincolnshire countryside over 140kms.

He wants as much of the cabling as possible to be laid under the seabed.

And he is urging parish council, community groups and householders to join the campaign which is being fronted by Lincolnshire County Council, supported by those MPS whose constituencies will be affected.

Says Cllr Jackson: Opposition to this huge scheme is growing by the day. 

"While the council welcomes the need for an electricity upgrade, we are extremely concerned about the impact of these overhead power lines to our communities and the environment.

“We are supporting our neighbouring authorities in opposing this scheme and we ask local people not to sit back and let this pass without making their individual and collective views known. 

"This scheme will change our local landscape for generations to come and we believe that National Grid must urgently review its proposals.

"If it is needed, we fully support Lincolnshire County Council’s intention to take legal action to challenge the reasoning that this infrastructure is the best solution."

National Grid says The Great Grid Upgrade to meet ever-growing electricity demand will be the most expensive grid overhaul in generations, costing £1bn, compared to £4.4bn for an offshore alternative and £6.5bn for an onshore underground cable. 

It says maintenance costs will be reduced if the cable is overhead.