The Member of Parliament for Brentwood and Ongar, Alex Burghart, has told Ingatestone residents that he does not want electricity pylons built on the Essex countryside as part of the so-called East Anglia Green Project (EAG) - a proposal by National Grid to build a chain of substantial pylons carrying high voltage cables from Norfolk to Tilbury.
Almost a hundred Ingatestone residents gathered in the Ingatestone Community Hall last week to hear Alex Burghart MP assure them he and his fellow local MPs want a different approach one which favours offshore cabling.
Alex said: “Pylon infrastructure would have a terrible impact on our local countryside. We need proper consideration of an offshore alternative - as is being undertaken off the east coast of Scotland. Me and my colleagues in Westminster are seeking a proper independent review to consider all the benefits of offshore cabling which would allow for better connections to future wind farms, easier sharing of energy with the Continent and far less intrusion into our surrounding area.”
Alex was supported at the meeting by Conservative Councillors for Ingatestone, Fryerning and Mountnessing, Cllr Lesley Wagland and Cllr Noelle Hones, who have been working with local residents and Councils to ensure their views are heard.
Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, County Cllr Lesley Wagland said “The original informal consultation was disingenuous. Among other things it effectively excluded the offshore option before any proper analysis was undertaken. I urge residents to take the opportunity to participate in the forthcoming formal consultation to ensure your voices heard.”
Cllr Noelle Hones added: “These pylons would be a third higher than those we already have and will destroy the beauty of our local countryside.”
Alex Burghart MP will be meeting the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Minister, Graham Stuart, along with fellow Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk Conservative MPs this week to share the views of constituents and to push for alternative options.
“It was very important to hear the strength of opinion at our meeting,” Alex said, “I shall be sure to let those in Whitehall know just how local people feel and to continue to push for proper consideration of an offshore solution.”
Photo Credit: Ian Davidson
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