National Grid plc : Only a few days left to give National Grid your views!

There are only a few days left to have your say on National Grid's proposals for a new electricity substation in north-east Essex.

National Grid is reminding people living in or around north-east Essex that they have until 8 April to give their views and help shape the proposals for the new electricity substation.

The new substation will allow National Grid to take down more than 80 pylons and 25 km of an existing lower voltage line owned by UK Power Networks which runs between Burstall Bridge, in Suffolk and Twinstead Tee, in north Essex.

The proposals, part of National Grid's plans to build a new higher voltage connection, will ensure local electricity supplies are maintained once the existing line is removed.

Over the last few weeks residents have attended a number of public consultation events across the area. National Grid senior project manager, Brian Smethurst, said: "We are grateful to all those who have already responded to the substation consultation, this feedback will be important in helping us shape our proposals".

There are many ways to respond to the consultation. Log on to the web site www.nationalgrid.com/bramford-twinstead where you can send National Grid your comments. Contact the Community Relations Team on 0800 377 7340, or send them an email at bramford-twinstead@uk.ngid.com or write to the team at freepost address: Freepost NATIONAL GRID CONNECTIONS.

Brian Smethurst added: "Extensive consultation over the past three-and-a-half years has already influenced other key aspects of the project; including the selection of two areas where we believe the high cost of putting cables underground can be justified. We wish to remind people they have until the 8 April to give us their views on the substation proposals."

After 8 April, National Grid will review all representations received to see if there are any significant new issues they should consider before confirming the proposed location for the substation.

Ends

Contact for media information only:
Jane Taylor
National Grid Media Relations

07785 220647
jane.taylor@nationalgrid.com

Alan O'Neile
T: 07917 363065
E: Bramford-Twinstead@communityrelations.co.uk

Out of hours duty press officer:
+44 (0) 1926 653000

For more information, please:

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The Bramford to Twinstead Tee connection is needed to connect new power generation to the network in East Anglia. Over the next decade around a quarter of the UK's major power stations are due to close. In the region, several new low carbon replacements will need to be connected to the national grid in the region to ensure the country continues to have a reliable electricity supply.  As the country builds the new generation of green power sources, it is National Grid's role to connect this power to the electricity network and to the people who use it. 

The Bramford to Twinstead Tee connection project is the first to follow a new approach that National Grid has developed for designing and routeing transmission lines. That approach places a greater emphasis on mitigating the visual impact of National Grid's major infrastructure projects and considers projects on an individual basis, taking into account a balance of environmental, cultural, visual, technical and cost factors.  

National Grid

National Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE:NGG) is an electricity and gas company that connects consumers to energy sources through its networks.  The company is at the heart of one of the greatest challenges facing our society - to create new, sustainable energy solutions for the future and developing an energy system that underpins economic prosperity in the 21st century.  National Grid holds a vital position at the centre of the energy system and we 'join everything up'. 

In Britain, we run the gas and electricity systems that our society is built on, delivering gas and electricity across the country.  In the North Eastern US, we connect more than seven million gas and electric customers to vital energy sources, essential for our modern lifestyles.

National Grid in the UK:
• We own the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales, operating it across Great Britain
• We own and operates the high pressure gas transmission system in Britain
• Our gas distribution business delivers gas to 11 million homes and businesses
• We also own a number of related businesses including LNG importation, land remediation and metering
• National Grid manages the National Gas Emergency Service free phone line on behalf of the industry - 0800 111 999 (all calls are recorded and may be monitored).