Yahoo News Keir Starmer warns of pylons trade-off as 183km of pylons could flow through Essex
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has warned of trade-offs, including electricity pylons near homes, amid proposals by National Grid to use the structures to carry electricity through the county. National Grid plans to build 183 kilometres of pylons between Norwich and Tilbury.
The plans have received strong opposition from local campaign groups as well as councils, including Essex County Council, and MPs. National Grid say the proposals are necessary to reinforce the power network in East Anglia as well as connect new offshore wind generation.
Sir Keir Starmer said people must "face the storm" as he warned of further tough decisions. In a speech at the Labour Party conference, he said people would need to accept the trade-offs that reforming the country and renewing infrastructure would require.
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He said: "If the last few years have shown us anything, it’s that if you bury your head because things are difficult, your country goes backwards. So if we want justice to be served some communities must live close to new prisons.
"If we want to maintain support for the welfare state, then we will legislate to stop benefit fraud. Do everything we can to tackle worklessness. If we want cheaper electricity, we need new pylons overground otherwise the burden on taxpayers is too much."
National Grid says Norwich to Tilbury will play a vital role in delivering electricity efficiently, reliably, and safely and will support the UK’s move to reduce carbon emissions. Richard Holden (Cons.), the MP for Basildon and Billericay, has said new infrastructure has to be done "in a way that's sympathetic to local people" whilst Tendring District Council warned the plans could result in further deprivation.
A public consultation over the plans was held between April 10 and July 26. National Grid says they are now reviewing feedback received ahead of submitting an application to the Planning Inspectorate next year.
