Published: November 3, 2012
Burnham-On-Sea MP voices concern over pylons environmental costs

Burnham-On-Sea's MP says National Grid has not fully considered the social and environmental costs of building a proposed 37-mile long power line between Avonmouth and Bridgwater.

Details of the exact route of the proposed 400,000 volt overhead power line, which will run through the Burnham-On-Sea area, are due to be announced by the National Grid on Tuesday (November 6th).

But speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday (November 1st), Tessa Munt said: "The National Grid company has a statutory duty to consider social and environmental costs when evaluating routes for electricity transmission, whether overhead, underground or undersea."

"It wrote to my constituents acknowledging that duty, and assured them that it would provide detailed analysis for the Hinkley C connection project."

"As the company has plans to announce its route alignment on Tuesday 6th November, but has not yet provided that information, will the Minister intervene on behalf of my constituents to ensure that it does not ignore its statutory duties?"

Energy Minister MP John Hayes said he would discuss the concerns further with her.

Last autumn, National Grid announced that its preferred route for the new power line would follow the existing 132,000 volt line which runs near villages in the Burnham area including Mark and East Huntspill.

However, it conceded that it would consider running some sections of the 37-mile line underground "if the economies were right" following pressure from residents and action groups who are worried that the huge pylons would hurt the countryside.