National Grid’s second consultation on overhead electricity line from Walpole to Lincolnshire launches

National Grid’s second consultation on a new overhead electricity line from Walpole to Lincolnshire has launched today.

Its second consultation contains more refined proposals compared to the first. The electricity connection proposed remains entirely made up of pylons, however.

Members of the public now have until 11:59pm on Wednesday, August 6 to have their say on the detailed proposals for the 140km pylon line. The latest timetable for the overhead line is it will be submitted to Government for approval in 2027, and if permitted, would be constructed between 2029 and 2033.

Its route in North East Lincolnshire would commence from the Grimsby West sub-station, before heading to the Walpole area.

Part of the new consultation will also include the chance for feedback on National Grid community benefit funds that will accompany the new line’s construction. Government guidance states this will work out at £530,000 per substation, and £200,000 per kilometre of the new line.

The project is part of National Grid’s The Great Grid Upgrade, the biggest investment in the electricity network in Britain for a generation. National Grid states they are vital upgrades to meet growing demands for electricity.

The Walpole line would allow more electricity to flow from where it is being produced on the east coast, and power millions of homes. The first consultation, held last year, saw more than 7,500 pieces of feedback provided.

Changes after feedback received include:

• Introduction of lower height pylons on sections nearest the Lincolnshire Wolds – these will be 10m lower than normal 50m height.

• The route avoids siting of pylons within planned Bradley Road solar farms north of Barnoldby-le-Beck and Waltham, and avoids within associated skylark mitigation areas.

• Route changes have also been made to reflect local airfield feedback, including Boston Aerodrome.

Ben Muncey, National Grid’s project director for Grimsby to Walpole, said: “The way we generate electricity has changed and is continuing to change.

“As our demand for electricity grows, this project will connect our homes, businesses and public services to sources of home-grown British energy which will lower our electricity bills in the long-term and make us more energy independent.

“We thank everyone who commented on the initial proposals during our last round of consultation.

“The feedback was critical to refining the proposed route and we look forward to engaging the community around the updated plans.”

People can attend online webinars to speak with National Grid’s team. To learn more about the consultation and how to get involved, members of the public can visit the project’s website here: nationalgrid.com/g-w

Interactive 3D visualisations will be available at the in-person events in Lincolnshire, showing how the pylon line would look, including during different seasons.

People will be able to enter a postcode in and can view anywhere along the route, 2.5km either side.

Webinars relevant particularly to the northern section of the proposed overhead line include:

• Monday, June 23, 6.30-7.30pm – General overview of proposals.

• Monday, June 30, 6.30-7.30pm – Route sections 1 and 2.

• Monday, July 21, 2-3pm – General overview of proposals.

There are also in-person events on the following dates:

• Friday, July 18, 1-7pm: Walpole Community Centre

• Saturday, July 19, 11am-4pm: Tydd St Giles Community Centre