National Grid has announced a series of public consultation events to gather opinion about its proposals to build a new overhead electricity line between Bridgwater and Avonmouth.
The 400,000 volt line is needed to bring electricity from the proposed new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point on to National Grid’s transmission network.
Extensive studies have identified two potential ‘route corridors’ - stretches of land in which the overhead line could be sited. The company is now asking the public for its views on these corridors.
National Grid major projects manager David Mercer said: ‘The proposed new power station at Hinkley Point C would be one of the largest connected to the National Grid network, and, as a result, we will need to reinforce and upgrade the network in the region to accommodate the extra power and ensure system security.
‘We recognise that this is a significant development and we are committed to consulting the public to gather their views. These events will give local residents the opportunity to see our proposals and discuss their queries and concerns with us and express their opinions.
‘We have no preference as to which route corridor should be chosen, so the views of local people will help us in making the decision. Between now and December we will be holding fourteen events between Avonmouth and Bridgwater so that anyone who wishes to attend has the opportunity.’
Depending upon the final route, the new line would be approximately 37 miles long and is planned to be constructed in 2016 at a cost of around £2 million per mile.
Further information about the project can be found on www.nationalgrid.com/hinkleyconnection and there is a telephone helpline on 0800 377 7347.
The full programme of public consultation events is listed below.
NATIONAL GRID’S PUBLIC EXHIBITION PROGRAMME
| Venue |
Address |
Date |
Time |
| Avonmouth Community Centre |
Avonmouth Road, Avonmouth, Bristol, BS11 9EN |
13th October |
2-4pm and
6-8pm |
| Trinity Primary School Community Hall |
Marjoram Way, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 7JF |
15th October |
2-4pm and 6-8pm |
| Tickenham Village Hall |
205 Clevedon Road, Tickenham, BS21 6RX |
20th October |
2-4pm and 6-8pm |
| Backwell Leisure Centre |
Farleigh Rd, Backwell, Bristol, BS48 3PB |
21st October |
2-4pm and 6-8pm |
| Hangstones Pavillion |
Stowey Road, Yatton, BS49 4HS |
3rd November |
2-4pm and 6-8pm |
| Bawdrip Parish Hall |
East Side Lane, Bawdrip, TA7 8QB |
4th November |
2-4pm and 6-8pm |
| Webbington Hotel |
Loxton Somerset, BS26 2HU |
10th November |
2-4pm and 6-8pm |
| Sandford Village Hall |
Greenhill Road, Sandford, BS25 5PA |
11th November |
2-4pm and 6-8pm |
| Mark Village Hall |
Vole Road, Mark, Somerset, TA9 4NY |
16th November |
2-4pm and 6-8pm |
| Biddisham Village Hall |
Biddisham, Somerset, BS26 2TE |
17th November |
2-4pm and 6-8pm |
| Puxton Park |
Cowslip Lane, Hewish, Weston Super Mare, BS24 6AH |
24th November |
2-4pm and 6-8pm |
| Chedzoy Village Hall |
Front Street, Chedzoy, TA7 8RE |
25th November |
2-4pm and 6-8pm |
| Aust Village Hall |
Main Road, AustBS35 4AX |
1st December |
2-4pm and 6-8pm |
Stogursey Village Hall
(Joint exhibition with EDF) |
31 Town Close, Stogursey, Bridgwater, TA5 1RN |
2nd December |
2-8pm |
Ends
For further media information, contact Carol Lloyd, National Grid Media Relations on 01926 655372