Kemi Badenoch MP and six other Conservative MPs from East Anglia have written to Ed Miliband urging the Government to properly assess underground alternatives to National Grid’s Norwich to Tilbury pylon project.
While recognising the urgent need to expand electricity infrastructure, the MPs argue the current proposal to impose miles of towering pylons across East Anglia is deeply flawed. The planned route would cause long-term environmental and visual harm, damage house prices, and disrupt farms, businesses, and community spaces—despite the availability of cost-comparable underground alternatives.
The MPs welcomed the National Energy System Operator’s (NESO) commitment to assess all future grid projects objectively through the new Centralised Strategic Network Plan. However, they pointed out that the Norwich to Tilbury scheme is proceeding on the outdated assumption that pylons are the default option—an approach NESO itself is now moving away from.
Critically, a 2024 NESO East Anglia Network Study found that underground high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables, if delivered by 2034, would be more cost-effective than pylons. The MPs also highlighted the national security benefits of undergrounding, making infrastructure less vulnerable to attack or disruption.
Residents along the proposed route, including those in and around Broomfield, the Leighs, Walthams and Writtle have voiced strong opposition, with many seeing recent proposed financial incentives touted by the Secretary of State as a “bribe” to silence objections. Communities already under pressure from policies like the Family Farm Tax feel ignored in a process lacking transparency and proper consultation.
The MPs are calling for a serious, independent reassessment of all options, including HVDC and offshore solutions.
Commenting, Kemi Badenoch MP said:
“North West Essex should not be saddled with pylons when there is a viable, cost-comparative underground option available.
“We now have hard evidence that undergrounding could deliver better outcomes for the region. The Government must take this seriously to give our communities the fair, transparent evaluation they deserve.
Commenting, Sir Bernard Jenkin MP added:
“The facts are clear that undergrounding direct current cables will save the environment, and be completed more quickly than pylons, because they are so unpopular. The delay to pylons will cost more as a consequence. But there is no sign that Labour listening, in their mad dash to net zero.”
Priti Patel MP added:
"Local communities across the region know the current pylons plans are flawed and deeply damaging, but so far the Labour Government has been unwilling to listen and consider the alternatives. Instead of fiddling the planning system so they can cover the East of England in pylons and offering bribes to communities, ministers must give the alternative underground and undersea cable options a serious assessment as they could have better benefits over the long term while protecting our environment and countryside."
James Cartlidge MP added:
We know that HVDC undergrounding is ultimately more cost-effective than the pylon option, ESO (now NESO) proved this in their East Anglia Study, published last March. We also know that an underground or offshore alternative would reduce the long-term despoilment of our beautiful countryside. As communities in the North of England are benefiting from billions of pounds worth of investment in offshore cabling off Scotland, for the protection of their countryside, I will continue doing all I can to ensure that my constituents are treated fairly.
