It is important for the public to voice their opinions on issues that concern our area. One such issue is the outlined plans to construct a 70-mile network of 50-metre high pylons across Lincolnshire, from Grimsby to Walpole.

If you aren’t familiar, the Grimsby-to-Walpole plans have been laid out by National Grid as part of their “Great Grid Upgrade”, which they claim is the “largest overhaul of the electricity grid in generations” and will help the UK make the switch to clean, renewable sources of energy while making the network fit for the future.

The plans, which underwent consultation earlier this year, have been met with some resistance. 

Martin Vickers, MP for Cleethorpes, voiced his concerns in Parliament earlier this week as he asked if the Prime Minister could “assure” his residents that ““when the ministers consider the consultations that come forward from National Grid, they will give sympathetic consideration to putting some of the sections underground.”

The Prime Minister came back and said that Vickers was “absolutely right” to raise the concerns of his constituency and that, as Prime Minister, he would “make sure that ministers take into account the concerns raised.”

Some concerns have already been raised by locals on social media platforms. 

One user voiced their concern regarding the visibility of the plans, stating, “How could they listen to my views when I’ve not even heard of any plans?”

Another explained their opinion on the proposal for the overhead power lines, debating if they could be placed underground instead: “Put the cable under ground as they have done with the cables coming ashore at Donna Nook running to Killingholme.”

They go on to say that “costs shouldn’t come into it when preserving the countryside.”

The next stage of the consultation is expected to begin in 2025, as National Grid stated they are “committed to listening.”