Campaigners want review of power line alternatives

CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans to erect towering pylons across the North Somerset countryside are calling for an independent review into the other options available.

A working party set up to fight plans by National Grid to erect a 400,000 volt power line from Bridgwater to Avonmouth say the option to put the cables under the Severn Estuary has not been properly considered.

Working party leaders have contacted North Somerset MP Liam Fox asking him to push the Government to order an independent review into the costs of the subsea option.

National Grid has only consulted on over ground schemes, which would see the new power line – and its 45 metre high pylons – cut through swathes of the North Somerset and Somerset countryside.

It estimated that the subsea option – that would see cables go under the estuary from Bridgwater to Avonmouth – would cost £1.9 billion compared to the estimated £656 million cost of over ground cables.

Government rulings state the energy giant must look at the most cost-effective way of delivering the scheme. National Grid has held two rounds of consultation on the over ground options, with thousands of people raising objections.

Campaigners say no detailed costs for the underground and under sea options have been offered as viable alternatives.

They want an independent review of the costings of the subsea option compared to over ground lines.

They also want a full consultation with residents on the subsea option.

Campaigners are asking Dr Fox to raise the issue with the relevant Government ministers.

The only way that National Grid can be forced to fully investigate the subsea option is if Government ministers and the industry regulator, OFGEM, ask them to.

The working party is made up from representatives from the campaign groups Save our Valley and Save Nailsea West and Nailsea Town Council.

Nailsea Town Council clerk, Ian Morrell, said: “National Grid knows the under sea option is favoured by the majority of residents.

“The working party has asked Dr Fox to seek a meeting with the relevant ministers to put the other options in front of them.

“It is the working party’s hope that the Government will order an independent review of the costs of the alternatives.”

National Grid spokeswoman, Jane Taylor, said: “We are still reviewing the feedback from our two rounds of consultation. We are aiming to make an announcement on the preferred corridor this autumn.

“The subsea option was not put forward for the consultation.

“We did look at several ways of going subsea but for engineering and environmental reasons it was not put forward as an option for consultation and at the moment, that is unlikely to change.”

Dr Fox said: “I am very happy to help the group get individual and objective information about the different options. I will be writing to my ministerial colleagues.”