Proposed pylons-and-cables route through Lincolnshire could harm nature tourism warns MP Matt Warman

 

Matt Warman met with Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust chairman Paul Learoyd at Gibraltar Point earlier this month 

CONTROVERSIAL plans to erect scores of pylons along a 87-mile route through Lincolnshire will have "a negative impact on nature tourism".

This warning has been sounded by Boston and Skegness MP Matt Warman (Con) who has secured a debate to be held in the Commons later this week.

There are many nature reserves in Lincolnshire (RSPB Frampton and Gibraltar Point bird observatory are both in Mr Warman's constituency).

He has been alerted that migrating wildfowl such as ducks, geese and Whooper swans could be in danger of collision with the cables linking the pylons.

The so-called Great Grid Upgrade is proposed to be the largest expansion  of Britain's  electricity grid since the 1950s.

It aims to improve and build more of the infrastructure needed to meet the UK’s expanding energy needs as well as increased output of energy from offshore windfarms.

During an afternoon debate in the Commons on  Thursday May 2, backbenchers will scrutinise the issues.

Mr Warman has highlighted three specific objections to the pylons:

* The potentially negative impact on nature tourism

* The visual impact on Lincolnshire's flat landscape

* The likelihood of  agricultural land being taken out of production

Says he: "I am highly concerned that, at a time when pylons elsewhere in the country are being removed, residents in Lincolnshire are not being offered more than the one option  in National Grid’s narrow public consultation.

"It is clear that, not just my own constituents in Boston and Skegness, but also residents from neighbouring constituencies in Lincolnshire and the East of England, are opposed to strings of pylons polluting the rural and unspoilt parts of our county. 

"The future needs of the grid would be better served by a different approach.

"I have been making the case to ministers that, whilst National Grid is rightly burying cables underground in parts of the country such as Dorset, we should not be putting them up in Lincolnshire. 

"Ultimately, it is vital that other options are given greater consideration. Pylons should not seen as the default.

"I look forward to having the opportunity to raise this important matter in Parliament."

Fellow Lincolnshire MPs Victoria Atkins and Sir John Hayes, as well as Lincolnshire County Council, and Police and Crime Commissioner, Marc Jones, have all also formally objected to the proposal.

Their schedules permitting, it is thought that Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers and Grimsby MP Lia Nici might also seek to contribute to the debate.                                     

The pylons will be close to both inland and coastal havens for birds and other wildlife