Say No to Sky-High Pylons
As you will be aware, National Grid are consulting on a new grid connection between Chesterfield and Willington. https://www.nationalgrid.com/chesterfieldtowillington
This proposal is for a new 400kV connection between substations at Chesterfield and Willington. While there is a need to upgrade the electricity grid, SAVE have concerns over the proposed route, which loops round the east of Derby rather than taking a direct route west of Derby.
The pylons used for this project will be highly visible, at 50m tall they are significantly bigger than the existing pylons near Aston & Weston. The pylons will be spaced at around three per kilometre (5 per mile) so 330m (360yards) apart, on straight sections. Pylons will be closer together where the route curves.
This will not replace the existing network of pylons near Aston & Weston; in fact this existing network may need to be modified to allow the new higher voltage line to safely pass the existing lower voltage network. In other parts of the country including the Cotswolds and parts of Norfolk, the cables will go underground, but this is not included as an option for this scheme.
We encourage SAVE members to attend the Public Information Event in Weston Village Hall from 10am until 4pm on Saturday 20th July to learn more.
There are also Webinars on the 25th and 29th July – more details here
This project will cause disruption during construction and will leave a lasting scar on the landscape of the Trent Valley. We do not know how this project will fit into the wider modernisation programme (The Great Grid Upgrade) and how that could impact Aston & Weston. The large pylons used may need dedicated access roads and it is likely that other energy projects (onshore wind and particularly solar farms) will be placed near the route of the power lines.
Questions which could be asked include:
- Why does the route loop around the east of Derby rather than taking the more direct, westerly route?
- This proposal is part of a larger project, so which other parts of The Great Grid Upgrade could impact South Derbyshire
- Why can’t existing power lines near Aston & Weston be used?
- Why are such large pylons needed?
- Why can’t the cables be placed underground as is being done in other areas?
- What additional infrastructure (e.g. access roads) will be needed during construction and for long-term operation of the power line?
- Will additional energy facilities (e.g. Wind & Solar Farms) be attracted to the new grid, leading to further developments concentrated along the route?
- Is there an environmental impact from heat generated by the transmission lines?
- How well is the effect of electromagnetic fields on people understood, so how far away from the transmission lines should people and animals be kept?
- Why are there no Local Information Points for South Derbyshire District (e.g. Melbourne Library)?
We need to know more about this proposal, so please ask questions at the Public Information Event if you can. Please let us know if you don’t think you have got a satisfactory answer.