'My constituents are angry' - National Grid's proposed Grimsby West to Walpole overhead line criticised by MP

Electricity pylons would stretch from Grimsby to Walpole, Norfolk (stock photo)
Electricity pylons would stretch from Grimsby to Walpole, Norfolk (stock photo) -Credit:Nottingham Post


National Grid's consultation on a proposed 140km overhead pylon between Grimsby West and Walpole has been strongly criticised in a parliamentary debate.

Boston and Skegness MP Matt Warman secured a Westminster Hall debate last week on pylons and upgrades to the National Grid. He called for a pause on current projects and the government to look again at its approach to upgrade the grid.

Mr Warman criticised the proposed Grimsby West to Walpole pylon line as a proposal to make Lincolnshire "a dumping ground for outdated infrastructure". He also said National Grid had not made his constituents feel the initial consultation was meaningful.

Read More:

A National Grid spokesperson reiterated the need for new infrastructure as electricity demand increases. They also reaffirmed the energy company is carefully considering the feedback of local people to shape its proposals before another public consultation next year.

Opposition to National Grid's proposed 140km pylon line includes objections from Lincolnshire County Council and North East Lincolnshire Council. The pylon option would cost £1bn, but opponents favour an offshore alternative, or an onshore underground cable. These have been priced at £4.4bn and £6.5bn, respectively, by National Grid.

The pylons debate lasted an hour-and-a-half, with MPs from across the political spectrum having their say. Mr Warman was strident in his criticism of the Grimsby West to Walpole proposal. "My constituents are angry. They are angry with National Grid, and they are angry with the proposals to rewire the grid in such a way that uses Lincolnshire as, what is frankly, a dumping ground for outdated infrastructure, that could be done better and could be done differently.

A debate was held in Westminster Hall on National Grid upgrades last week, on local elections day
A debate was held in Westminster Hall on National Grid upgrades last week, on local elections day -Credit:David Mirzoeff/PA Wire

"The way that National Grid has behaved, hasn’t delivered on transparency, and hasn’t made constituents feel that this is a meaningful consultation on proposals that will not be temporary, but will be with us for many years to come and will cost millions of pounds.

"I have never had more emails and I have never seen more packed public meetings on any other issue," he said. He stated his constituents accept the need to upgrade the grid. But they wanted value for money and the landscape not "unnecessarily blighted".

Three issues, above all else, had been raised - food security, the effect on the landscape and consequently that consideration is given to economic impact, and National Grid's overall strategic approach.

"One of things they say is how can we mitigate the impact of pylons," he said in the debate. "I've not yet met a constituent that has said to me, I don't like those 50 metre pylons, but would be ok with a 40 metre one." Mr Warman name-checked a number of MPs for their stance on proposed upgrades, including Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers. He is opposed to the overhead line and favours alternatives such as an offshore cable.

A National Grid spokesperson said: "The Grimsby to Walpole public consultations generated a lot of interest, with nearly 3,000 people attending in person events, and more than 6,700 pieces of feedback received from local people.

“As demand for electricity is set to double, this new onshore electricity network is needed to connect more power and energy projects including some onshore solar and battery storage projects and offshore wind." The proposed overhead line would carry enough clean energy to power six million homes and business, providing affordable and secure electricity to people in Lincolnshire and beyond, the spokesperson said.

"We are very grateful to the local community and stakeholders who have shared their views with us. We are carefully considering their valuable feedback as we continue to shape our proposals, before holding a further public consultation in 2025."