Our surveying involves the drilling of boreholes or the excavation of trial pits in order to assess ground conditions in some areas of the route. These types of surveys are called Ground Investigation (GI) works and are used to determine which soils and rocks are present in the area. They are also used to monitor the types and quantities of water, gas and vapour, which may be present in the ground.

GI works for Norwich to Tilbury are undertaken by National Grid’s appointed contractors. The information gathered during these surveys will be used to identify and understand engineering constraints, the ecology of the area and any environmental considerations that could influence the routeing of the new electricity transmission infrastructure.

After GI works are completed the land is returned to use and any samples gathered are tested, with the data and results forming part of our Environmental Statement (ES), which will be submitted as part of the suite of documents that form our Development Consent Order (DCO) application.

We're carrying out a range of surveys along the proposed route. This includes conducting traffic, transport, and public rights of way surveys along the proposed route. This means you may see some radar and data traffic counting equipment as well as some of our people collecting information. We don't use these surveys to collect any personal data. 

Some ecological and environmental surveys can only be carried out at specific times of the year. For example, wintering bird surveys are usually carried out between November to February, as they determine the species and numbers of birds which migrate over this season. 

We are currently undertaking the following surveys: 

National Grid tries to reach voluntary agreement to access the land for surveys whenever possible.

If agreement to access land for surveying cannot be reached voluntarily, Section 172 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 authorises National Grid as an acquiring authority. It allows entry to survey land where there is a proposal to acquire an interest in or right over land.

We’ve also notified local authorities where work is taking place. Although we don’t need planning permission for this work, we believe it’s right to notify the local authority.

Allowing National Grid access to land does not stop the landowner making representations about the Project at any time and allowing us access for surveys does not affect any rights to comment in any form.

We recognise the potential for land damage and disturbance that may be caused by carrying out surveys and site investigations and will make advanced compensation payments to landowners for a set period of time. Further information on payments that will be made on survey access is available within our Payments schedule for new electricity transmission assets.

National Grid will work with you and/or your agent to reach an agreement to carry out surveys. We endeavor to reach all agreements voluntarily.

Where an agreement in relation to taking access to land for engineering, ecological and environmental surveys cannot be reached voluntarily, Section 172 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 authorises National Grid as an acquiring authority. It allows entry to survey or value land where there is a proposal to acquire an interest in or right over land.

We may need to carry out surveys on your land to inform our assessments and feed into the routeing and siting of the overhead line. We will keep you informed of the purpose of surveys and how the data will be used. If we request access for surveys, this doesn’t necessarily mean that your property / land will be affected by the project, as we will need to survey widely to understand the environmental effects of our proposals.

If you’re an affected landowner or occupier and your land interest is registered with the Land Registry, you should have been approached by our land agents Fisher German. However, if you think that your land may be affected and you haven’t received a letter, please email the lands team at Norwich-Tilbury@fishergerman.co.uk or call them on 0808 175 3314.

Once National Grid has developed its construction methodologies and programme further, we will have a better understanding of what effects there may be on different areas of land. We can then engage with individual landowners to understand what these effects may be and how they possibly can be mitigated through temporary changes in farming practises and accommodation works.

Any land used for farming can continue to be farmed around and under the overhead infrastructure. There may be restriction on safety clearances between farm equipment and the conductors.

The majority of agricultural operations will still be possible above the cables, landowners and occupiers must ensure that they do not do anything that will likely result in an interference with or damage to the cables. Land drainage works are usually restricted over the easement width.

You can still develop the land around the overhead equipment, but there may be some restrictions in terms of proximity and the type of development. For more information, please look at National Grid's guidance note Development near overhead infrastructure.

At this stage we can only provide a high-level programme of works. If our project is consented, construction will begin in 2027 and conclude in 2030.

We are unable to confirm further details of the installation and remediation programme at this stage, as these details need full consideration by our installation contractors when appointed. The detailed programme will take all planning consent requirements and stakeholder views into account wherever possible. Generally, we will look to reinstate land as soon as possible after installation works have been completed and temporary haul roads have been removed.

Yes, fencing can be placed near to pylons and cables. In some rare cases unearthed conductive objects, such as electric fences, can become charged with voltage when in very close proximity to an overhead line. This in turn can cause microshocks, which are small shocks similar in size to static shocks. These can cause a sensation but do not cause health effects.

Microshocks are a rare occurrence and typically National Grid would receive a few complaints a year. The chances of microshocks varies depending on a number of factors, including the transmission line voltage, wire size and distance from cabling. 

It's easy to mitigate against microshocks by earthing electric fences. This removes the charge and is done through earthing stakes, which are temporary and only needed when the fence is being installed or moved. 

The management and control of microshocks in the UK is set out in a Code of Practice produced by the Government. This Code of Practice provides a complete system for the control of microshocks, specifying what action is required to be taken, by whom and under what circumstances. 

Norwich to Tilbury has been designed in accordance with this Code of Practice, which is incorporated in National Grid policies and guidance. Once any proposed overhead line is operational, any residual microshocks reported would be mitigated by National Grid under the provisions of this Code.

If you have been contacted by our land agent Fisher German, it’s because your property / land is located within our preferred corridor. At each stage of the project, Fisher German will contact all potentially affected landowners to advise on how the land might be affected and to arrange access for surveys. Fisher German is coordinating engagement with landowners on behalf of National Grid for this project. Please respond to any correspondence to ensure that we have a full understanding of your related land interest.

If you have been contacted by TerraQuest, our land referencer, it’s because they’re making enquiries to identify and confirm all relevant land interests. They will also be looking into the extent of that interest in proximity to the proposed route. Terra Quest will issue a Landowner Interest Questionnaire (LIQ) to people with an interest in land, to ensure the correct information is held relating to each parcel of land. When issued, please complete and return the LIQ as soon as possible to ensure we have the correct contact details. LIQs are planned to be distributed in 2023.

National Grid will look to agree easements (permanent agreement to install, use and maintain equipment and assets) with all affected landowners, allowing National Grid to install, use and maintain their equipment. Heads of Terms, which set out our proposals for the terms of the option agreement to grant an easement, are planned to be distributed to all affected landowners and appointed agents in 2023.

An easement is a legal right in perpetuity, granting National Grid the right to install, use and maintain its equipment. A permanent easement is granted in exchange for a one-off capital payment, also known as a Deed of Grant of Easement.

A Wayleave is a licence granted by the owner and occupier of land giving National Grid the right to install, use and maintain its equipment. Terms of the wayleave agreement provide for the annual rental and compensation payments to be made based on the type and amount of infrastructure on the land, and its land use.

Easement payments vary between types of land and whether the new connection will be an overhead line or underground cables. For more information on both, please read National Grid's Payments schedule for new electricity transmission assets.

An option agreement is a legally binding document used by National Grid to secure land rights. The option will obligate the parties involved to enter into a final form of agreement as long as the relevant terms and conditions of the option agreement are met.

National Grid will be securing land rights at the same time as undertaking stakeholder engagement and public consultation, as required by the Planning Act 2008. Such engagement and consultation, as well as the actual determination of the Development Consent Order (DCO) application, may result in changes to the route alignment of the proposed new electricity transmission infrastructure. 

It would therefore be inappropriate for National Grid to complete land rights, and make full payment in relation to those, until such time as it obtains a DCO and understands the terms and conditions on which that is granted. This also avoids a landowner having land with an easement that is not needed.

National Grid will work with landowners to agree voluntary land right agreements up to the point at which the Development Consent Order (DCO) is granted. At the time of submission of the Development Consent Order application, National Grid will not know whether it will need to rely upon compulsory powers to acquire the necessary land rights. Therefore, the application must include all land rights needed to construct and subsequently operate the new electricity transmission infrastructure.

Where National Grid has been unable to obtain a voluntary agreement from a landowner, we will seek to acquire the relevant land or land rights over the relevant land through the compulsory acquisition powers granted through the DCO. A copy of the order and a compulsory acquisition notice will be served by National Grid on the relevant landowner.

National Grid may have to rely on compulsory purchase powers as a last resort, if voluntarily agreements for land rights cannot be reached with landowners. When submitting the Development Consent Order (DCO) application, National Grid will also apply for compulsory purchase powers. This will ensure that, if the DCO is granted, National Grid will be able to obtain all land rights needed to construct and subsequently operate the new electricity transmission assets.

National Grid acknowledges that any proposed new works may cause concern to landowners. In additional to the other payments outlined, ‘Injurious affection’ and any other appropriate Heads of Claim will be considered on an individual basis in accordance with current legislation.

On completion of construction and reinstatement of the land, individual full and final compensation claims will be agreed with all landowners. Compensation will take into account any loses, damage and disturbances caused during the duration of the works.

National Grid will seek voluntary agreements for a range of engineering, ecological and environmental surveys. Some ecological and environmental surveys will be time-critical and can only be carried out at specific times of the year. 

Surveys may also involve the drilling of boreholes or the excavation of trial pits, to assess ground conditions. These surveys will be undertaken by National Grid’s appointed contractors and are essential in identifying and understanding engineering, ecological and environmental constraints that could influence the routeing of the new electricity transmission infrastructure.

If access is required to your land for surveys, you will be contacted by the project’s land agents Fisher German. If you consent to access and for surveys to be carried out, this will be for a defined period of time. The surveys enable us to understand the potential effects of our work and for informed decisions to be made on routeing and siting the project.

National Grid recognises the potential for land damage and disturbance that may be caused by carrying out surveys and site investigations and will make advanced compensation payments to landowners for a set period of time. Further information on payments that will be made on survey access is available within our Payments schedule for new electricity transmission assets.

Allowing National Grid access to your land enables us to understand the potential effects of our work and for informed decisions to be made on routing and siting the project. You can still make representations about the project at any time and allowing us access for surveys does not affect your rights to comment.

National Grid will work with you and your agent to reach an agreement to carry out the surveys. Where an agreement in relation to taking access to land for engineering, ecological and environmental surveys cannot be reached voluntarily, Section 172 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 authorises National Grid as an acquiring authority. It allows entry to survey or value land where there is a proposal to acquire an interest in or right over land.