Power line would be a blot on the landscape, says residents

People in Portishead and Pill have raised concerns about plans to build a new 400,000 volt electricity line from Bridgwater to Avonmouth.

They say the towering new pylons proposed as part of the scheme will be "a blot on the landscape".

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

The power giant is looking at a series of options, along two "route corridors" – one of which is the existing route through Portbury Dock, across Clapton-in-Gordano and over the M5 at Naish Hill before going out over Tickenham Moor.

The second route corridor would also go through Portbury Dock, across Sheepway and alongside Priors Wood in Portbury and Wraxall Court and over Backwell Common and Netherton Wood, east of Nailsea, before going out towards North End and towards Tickenham Moor.

Energy bosses are considering a series of options including decommissioning the existing 132,000 volt line and adopting the same route for the 400,000 volt line or building a new line along the second route corridor. Depending upon the final route, the new overhead line would be approximately 37 miles long and built 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 and nearly double in size from an average of 25-30metres high to 46.5 metres – nearly 150ft.

Local residents who packed into a consultation meeting in Portishead on the plans said they were concerned the new pylons would dominate the landscape.

Brian, 74, and Maureen Heaton, 69, from Pill said: "I think they should keep the current power line and use that rather than put a new one right across the countryside.

"We do not want these towering new pylons being a blot on the landscape."

Martin and Mary Birch travelled from Nailsea to view the exhibition.

Mr Birch, 70, said: "I understand improvements have to be done but we have enough things going up that spoil the view.

"I would prefer this new line to go underground because the pylons will be intrusive in the countryside."

Ken Smith, 60, from Down Road, Portishead, said: "I don't want to look out of my window and see one of these towering pylons."

The proposals are at an early stage, and the final route will depend on the results of consultation with statutory authorities, and public consultation.

National Grid major projects manager David Mercer said: "We recognise that this is a significant development and we are committed to consulting the public.

"The consultation events will give local residents the opportunity to see our proposals and discuss their queries and concerns with us.

"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."

National Grid is aiming to submit an application to the Infrastructure Planning Committee (IPC) in summer 2011.

The IPC will rule on the scheme, following input from local authorities and the public.

Further information about the project can be found on www.nationalgrid.com/hinkleyconnection or by calling the telephone helpline on 0800 377 7347.