National Grid Revises Lincolnshire, Norfolk Pylon Plans Amid Public Consultation

National Grid has revised its plans for an 87-mile electricity pylon line between Grimsby and Walpole, part of The Great Grid Upgrade aimed at boosting British energy capacity and lowering electricity bills. Key changes include reducing pylon heights from 50 meters to 40 meters over a 4.3-mile stretch near the Lincolnshire Wolds to minimize landscape impact, and rerouting to avoid wind turbines, solar farms, airfields, and residential areas. The project will involve up to two substations near Weston Marsh and a new substation in Walpole, with construction expected to start in 2029 pending government approval in 2027. Despite public consultations and over 7,500 feedback responses leading to these revisions, some local opposition remains, with concerns over the pylons' visual impact and calls for underground cables, which National Grid cites as cost-prohibitive. Alongside the physical infrastructure, National Grid plans community benefit funds totaling £530,000 per substation and £200,000 per kilometer of line to support local areas affected by construction. Overall, the project is critical to meeting rising electricity demands and enhancing energy independence in the region.