A public meeting is to be held in Mark, near Burnham-On-Sea, next month when residents will be about to learn more about plans to build a new 400,000 volt power line connecting Hinkley Point to a new sub-station in Avonmouth.
As first reported by Burnham-On-Sea.com last month, the National Grid has been asked to connect the proposed new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point to the sub-station near Bristol – a distance of 37 miles.
Studies have identified two potential ‘route corridors’ – stretches of land in which the overhead line could be sited – with one route running close to East Huntspill, Watchfield and Bason Bridge.
National Power is asking the public for its views and is holding an open meeting in Mark Village Hall in Vole Road, on Monday 16th November from 2-4pm and 6-8pm as part of its public consultation phase.
National Grid’s major projects manager David Mercer told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “The proposed new power station at Hinkley Point C would be one of the largest connected to the National Grid network, and, as a result, we will need to reinforce and upgrade the network in the region to accommodate the extra power and ensure system security.”
“We recognise that this is a significant development and we are committed to consulting the public to gather their views. These events will give local residents the opportunity to see our proposals and discuss their queries and concerns with us and express their opinions.”
“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. Between now and December we will be holding fourteen events between Avonmouth and Bridgwater so that anyone who wishes to attend has the opportunity.”
Depending upon the final route, the new line would be approximately 37 miles long and is planned to be built in 2016 at a cost of around £2 million per mile.
For a map showing the two proposed routes of the power lines, click here.
