James Wild MP has expressed disappointed at National Grid’s response to local concerns raised through his constituency survey of West Walton and Walpole communities in relation to major energy infrastructure plans.
In January, James wrote to National Grid’s Chief Executive sharing his survey results showing 90% opposition to the Eastern Green Link 3 & 4 project - involving new converter stations and a substation complex at Walpole – and 91% opposition to the Grimsby to Walpole scheme, which would introduce a 90-mile overhead transmission line with pylons up to 50 metres high. Both projects would require years of construction.
Residents highlighted the loss of agricultural land, impacts on property values, disruption to local roads, risks to children from construction traffic, and concerns about the adequacy of consultation. However, National Grid’s response failed to adequately address these concerns.
James has now published the response he received and remains concerned at the lack of detail on proposed construction traffic mitigations with no mention of resident consultation; no meaningful compensation on property value was offered; lack of acknowledgement of what constituents described as a “whitewash” consultation; and community safety measures were deferred to post consent discussions and “where possible”.
Commenting James Wild MP said:
“Local people in West Walton and Walpole have made their views clear with overwhelming opposition to these schemes in their current form.
“I’m disappointed National Grid’s response does not properly address key concerns residents raised and falls short of the meaningful commitments local people need on environmental impact, construction traffic, community safety, and mitigation.
“I will keep pressing National Grid to improve these proposals, be transparent, and properly listen to local residents.”
National Grid has now published a further update to the project which includes identifying some additional land to build the Projects and selection of Option A for the siting of the proposed convertor station.
James will continue to use the feedback from residents to press National Grid and government for clearer answers and meaningful commitments and will keep their concerns at the forefront as the plans develop ahead of National Grid submitting their DCO application later this year.
