Don't let pylons ruin Kent further
Published: 21-06-2010
Gemma Watts, PR & Events Manager, Protect Kent
21 June 2010
National Grid has announced a massive expansion in their network of high voltage pylons. There is an urgent need to develop local and regional ‘smart’ electricity grids that can cope with renewable energy generation and a move to electric cars. However, it is not proven that the demand is there for a bigger national grid.
Pylons blight our countryside. From Romney Marsh to the North Downs near Gravesend, ranks of pylons are grim, oppressive and are an industrial scar on Kent’s treasured rural landscape. Close up their incessant buzz sets teeth on edge.
Protect Kent Chairman, Richard Knox-Johnston said:
“People need to be aware of what is being proposed with these pylons and that there is a choice, and that given that choice most people would prefer underground cables.
“Kent has large Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Green Belt that would be wrecked by more pylons. Tens of thousands of people enjoy Kent’s peace and tranquillity each weekend.”
National Grid claims that the cost of undergrounding transmission lines is 10-20 times greater than an overhead line.
However, their equivalents in both Denmark and Germany are involved in schemes to build new underground lines at the same high voltage, and their experience has shown that not only is the investment cost ratio significantly less (around 2-5 to 1 rather than 10-20) but also that some of this outlay can be recouped through underground cables being more reliable.
While the figures for underground sound a lot overall, the electricity transmission system only makes up 3% of customer electricity bills. To have a beautiful countryside that we can hand on to future generations, that seems a price worth paying. -Ends-
For more information, contact:
Sean Furey Deputy Director - Protect Kent 3 Evegate Park Barn Station Road, Smeeth Ashford, Kent TN25 6SX Tel: 01303 815186 NOTES FOR EDITORS 1. Defra has told South East Water that the public inquiry into its water resource plans will run from Tuesday 11 May 2010 - Friday 11 June 2010. It is being held at the Ramada London Gatwick, Tinsley Lane South, Three Bridges, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 8XH. 2. Photo 1: Pylons near Whitstable 3. CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Bill Bryson. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen. www.cpre.org.uk 4. Protect Kent (The Kent Branch of CPRE) is one of the charity’s largest county groups, with more than 3,000 supporters, 12 district groups and two special-interest groups, which focus on transport and environment. 5. Protect Kent (The Kent Branch of CPRE) exists to promote the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England by encouraging the sustainable use of land and other natural resources in town and country. 6. Registered office: 3 Evegate Park Barn, Station Road, Smeeth, Ashford, Kent, TN25 6SX. Phone: 01303 815180, fax: 01303 815189, www.protectkent.org.uk or www.cprekent.org.uk, email: info@cprekent.org.uk. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England number 4335730, registered charity number 1092012.
Associated Districts
- No districts currently associated with this article.