New electricity pylons could dominate North Somerset

Electricity pylons could dominate the countryside of North Somerset as part of plans to build a new 400,000 volt electricity line between Bridgwater and Avonmouth.

National Grid has put forward plans to create the new line to bring electricity from the proposed new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point on to its transmission network.

The power giant is looking at a series of options, along two 'route corridors.'

These could include decommissioning the existing 132,000 volt overhead electricity line, which runs parallel to the M5 between Bridgwater and Avonmouth, and adopting the same route for the 400,000 volt line.

The second option is to construct a new 400,000 volt line parallel to the existing line.

Another option to create a new power line to the east of the existing line is also being put forward.

Depending upon the final route, the new overhead line would be approximately 37 miles long and is planned to be constructed in 2016 at a cost of around £2 million per mile. The new pylons would be erected on average, every 365 metres, along the route.

The size of the pylons would also nearly double, with the new ones being as high as 46.5 metres – nearly 150ft – compared to the existing pylons which range from between 25 to 30 metres in height.

The proposals are at an early stage, and the final route will depend on the results of a consultation with statutory authorities, and one with the public, which begins this month.

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."

The company has been asked by EDF Energy to connect a 3600MW nuclear power station to be built close to the existing generating plant at Hinkley Point.

The new power station will be one of the largest single generators connected to the country's high voltage system.

The new line would also be able to cope with extra input from a major offshore Cornish wind turbine proposal, and from the smaller lagoon proposals for tidal energy from the Severn estuary/Bristol Channel.

An environmental impact assessment will also be carried out to assess the environmental and archaeological impact of the proposal.

National Grid has organised a series of consultation meetings this month to gather public opinion on the scheme.