A new independent report published today has demonstrated that National Grid has greatly overestimated the costs of burying electricity cables underground. Campaigners are now calling for current plans to build nearly 300 miles of new overhead cables to be rethought [1].

The report found that the although under-grounding electricity cables is more expensive then overhead lines, the cost is just 4.5 to 5.7 times more expensive [2], not 10 to 25 times more expensive as has previously been quoted by National Grid [3].

The report did not attempt to look at the wider benefits that would come from undergrounding, such as a faster planning process and environmental and social improvements which could lead to financial savings. It did, however, acknowledge these could also be an important factor in the final overall cost of any transmission method.

These findings vindicate the arguments of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) who have questioned previous cost estimates made by National Grid. The charity is calling for power cables to be put underground in National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) and evidence shows the public is willing to pay more for this to happen [4]. 

Tom Leveridge, Senior Energy Campaigner for CPRE, says: “We believe we have been vindicated in our claims that National Grid has historically over-estimated the cost of undergrounding power cables.

“This evidence from this report shows that the current public consultations into nearly 300 miles of new power lines have been proceeding with inaccurate information. We want National Grid to call a halt to any planned construction and restart the consultation process but this time with the real costs and benefits made clear.

“We are also calling for a further study that looks at the wider social and environmental costs of energy transmission.”

The Campaign for National Parks (CNP) has also welcomed the report’s findings. Its Deputy Chief Executive Ruth Chambers said:

“We welcome the report’s conclusion that underground solutions for electricity transmission are cheaper than previously thought - this is significant for the landscapes of the UK and will prevent cost being used as an excuse not to place infrastructure underground. There will now be a more level playing field between overhead and underground technologies, making it easier for solutions that respect England’s finest landscapes to be implemented.”

The report was produced by Energy consultants Parsons Brinckerhoff in association with Cable Consulting International, with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) providing quality assurance.

End

A two page media briefing on undergrounding electricity cables is available to download: http://bit.ly/xyHDYB

As well as a map of current and proposed overhead 400v power lines: http://bit.ly/z1ywHH

Notes to Editors
[1] Institution of Engineering and Technology, Comparative costs of new electricity infrastructure, 31 January 2012, http://bit.ly/wWN2OR
[2] Cost of overhead lines = £2.2m - £4.2m per KM, Underground cable (UGC) = £10.2m - £24.1m per KM, Deep tunnel = £12.9m - £23.9m per KM.
[3] Letter dated 7 December 2010 from Martin Kinsey, Senior Project Manager, National Grid to David Kirkland, KEMA ltd. Copied available from the CPRE Press Office. National Grid cost estimates: Overhead lines: £1.6 million - £1.8 million per km; Underground cables (direct burial): £18 million - £22 million per km; Underground cables (tunnel): £26 million - £45 million per km
[4] Brunswick Research, Attitudes to Energy Transmission: Summary of Key Findings, http://bit.ly/zF5TlN and London Economics, Review of company surveys on consumers’ willingness to pay to reduce the impacts of existing transmission infrastructure on visual amenity in designated landscapes, http://bit.ly/zvTE3n

On Tuesday next week a long delayed independent report into the real costs of undergrounding electricity cables as an alternative to ugly overhead lines and 50 metre high pylons is expected to be published [1]. 

Over the past year the subject of the report, originally to be published a year ago, has become increasingly controversial after National Grid announced nearly 300 miles of new overhead power lines to connect up new energy generation capacity – including offshore wind farms and new nuclear power stations [2]. Some of the proposed lines would cut through England’s finest landscapes like the Mendip Hills and the Dedham Vale.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and others have long contested that National Grid has repeatedly overestimated the costs of undergrounding power lines, sometimes by as much as eight times the real cost [3]. This has led to requests to bury powerlines in our beautiful countryside, including National Parks and AONBs, to be dismissed as too expensive.

Tom Leveridge, Senior Energy Campaigner for CPRE, says: “We hope this report will finally provide some authoritative and independent information on the real costs of burying power lines. Until now, all we’ve had to go on are the costs predicted by the monopoly supplier, National Grid.

“There has been a concern that the delays in publishing this report may have prevented the public from being fully informed about some of the new overhead power lines proposed by National Grid. We must not have any decisions to erect ugly pylons in nationally designated landscapes without robust and independent data.”

History of the power line undergrounding report:

In October 2010 the Department of Energy and Climate Changes (DECC), at the instigation of the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) Chairman Sir Michael Pitt, requested National Grid to commission an authoritative and independent report into the cost of undergrounding power cables.

National Grid commissioned international energy consultancy KEMA to produce the report. However, in June 2011 National Grid subsequently removed KEMA from the project after KEMA complained that they could not complete the report with the data available – which included that provided by National Grid [5].

In September 2011 National Grid commissioned international engineering consultancy Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) to carry out the research in association with Cable Consulting International (CCI) [6]. A project board to oversee the work was set up including the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), which will provide a quality assurance function, National Grid, which is funding the report, and DECC. The project board is tasked with monitoring and scrutinising the progress of the project.  It is claimed that the report will be independent of both National Grid and DECC.

End

Notes to Editors
[1] The Institution of Engineering and Technology, Power lines report to be published in January 2012, 14 December 2011, http://bit.ly/wkwaV2
[2] CPRE map of proposed pylons: http://bit.ly/yySmaT
[3] CPRE, National Grid attempt to bury real costs of undergrounding power cables, 20 June 2011, http://bit.ly/m5ttdx
[4] Institution of Engineering and Technology press release: http://bit.ly/vZM9jc
[5] Institution of Engineering and Technology press release: http://bit.ly/x7ZrbT

A Government sponsored competition to find a new electricity pylon design is to be judged this Wednesday with the winner announced by Energy Secretary Rt Hon Chris Huhne MP, on Friday (14 October) [1]. While this is a welcome initiative, the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) maintains that whatever the result the best place for energy cables in our most valued landscapes is underground, not strung between intrusive pylons.

Tom Leveridge, Senior Energy Campaigner for CPRE says: “This competition demonstrates that Ministers and National Grid are starting to think more creatively about how we can reduce the impact ugly pylons have on our landscape.

“We hope it will result in a better pylon more sensitive to the countryside but, however well designed, pylons are still an unwelcome intrusion in the landscape. Any new power lines in protected areas are best buried underground.

Scale models of the six designs for new electricity pylons short listed for the Pylon Design Competition have been on display at the V&A museum as part of the London Design Festival.

There are already 22,000 pylons owned by National Grid across England and Wales supporting 4,375 miles of overhead lines. Many of these, according to the company, are now coming to the end of their operational life and will need replacing with new structures. There are also plans to build nearly 300 miles of new overhead power lines and at least 1,000 new pylons through some of the UK’s most treasured landscapes [2].

Tom Leveridge continued: “While upgrading the UK’s energy infrastructure is important, essential new lines should make sure that impact on the landscape is reduced. It’s frustrating that we still don’t have a reliable estimate of the cost of undergrounding power lines. National Grid was tasked with producing an independent report almost a year ago but after unexplained delays they are yet to come clean on the real costs [3]. Decisions about new lines should be based on independent analysis and not on the questionable assertions of those who stand to profit most from its outcome.”

End

Notes to Editors
[1] On 23 May 2011 the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) along with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and National Grid called for designs for a new generation of electricity pylon. The 250 submitted designs have been whittled down to just six finalists which will be considered by the judging panel on Wednesday
[2]A map of proposed lines can be downloaded here: http://www.cpre.org.uk/what-we-do/energy-and-waste/electricity-pylons/the-issues
[2] CPRE Press release: National Grid attempt to bury real costs of undergrounding power cables http://bit.ly/m5ttdx

As Energy Secretary Chris Huhne prepares to announce the shortlist of a pylon design competition at the V&A Museum as part of the London Design Festival. The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) maintain that the best place for energy cables in our most valued landscapes is underground, not strung between intrusive pylons.

Tom Leveridge, Senior Energy Campaigner for CPRE says: “This competition demonstrates that Ministers and National Grid are starting to think more creatively about how we can reduce the impact ugly pylons have on our beautiful landscapes. But, however well designed, pylons are still an unwelcome and disruptive addition to England’s rural landscape.

“We hope this competition will produce a better pylon that is more in keeping with our countryside replacing those that have marred the landscape since the 1920s. However, any new power lines in protected areas are best buried underground.

Scale models of the six designs for new electricity pylons shortlisted for the Pylon Design Competition will be on display at the V&A from Wednesday 14 September as part of the London Design Festival. Chris Huhne will open a display entitled A Pylon for the Future, meet the finalists and speak about the design challenges we face as we rebuild our energy infrastructure over the next forty years.

On 23 May 2011 the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) along with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and National Grid called for designs for a new generation of electricity pylon. 250 submitted designs have been whittled down to just six finalists who have been working with the National Grid to build scale models of their designs for the final judging panel.

There are already 22,000 pylons owned by National Grid across England and Wales supporting 4,375 miles of overhead lines. Many of these, according to the company, are now coming to the end of their shelf life and will need replacing with new structures. There are also plans to build nearly 300 miles of new overhead power lines and at least 1,000 accompanying pylons through some of the UK’s most treasured landscapes.[1]

Tom Leveridge continued: “While upgrading the UK’s energy infrastructure is important, it’s frustrating that we still don’t have any reliable estimate of the cost of undergrounding power lines. National Grid was tasked with producing an independent report almost a year ago but after unexplained delays they are yet to come clean on the real costs.” [2]

“If new lines are essential we should make sure that wherever possible, we minimise their intrusion to our beautiful and valued countryside. These important decisions should be based on independent analysis and not on the questionable assertions of those who stand to profit most from its outcome.”

End

Notes to Editors
[1] A map of proposed lines can be downloaded here: http://www.cpre.org.uk/what-we-do/energy-and-waste/electricity-pylons/the-issues
[2] CPRE Press release: National Grid attempt to bury real costs of undergrounding power cables http://bit.ly/m5ttdx

The major Government announcement today (Thursday) will set the terms of debates over energy infrastructure for years to come.  Responding to the proposed National Policy Statement for Electricity Networks Infrastructure [1] in particular, Paul Miner, Senior Planning Campaigner at the Campaign to Protect Rural England, says:

“Energy infrastructure can have a hugely damaging impact on the countryside. Despite rumours it may not, the Government has defended of the Holford Rules, a set of principles that say we should not disfigure beautiful countryside with electricity pylons if we can possibly avoid it.  They’ve also admitted that in some locations new pylons may be unacceptable because of the visual intrusion they cause.

“This will be welcomed by campaigners working to fight newly proposed power lines in Kent, Lancashire, Shropshire, Somerset and Suffolk. But the battle is not yet won as overhead pylons might still be allowed if underground or undersea alternatives are considered too expensive.

“It is vital that National Grid stops making wild overestimates of undergrounding power cables,  and allows the publication of an independent study on the real cost of keeping our countryside beautiful [2].”

End

Notes to Editors
[1] From DECC, Energy National Policy Statements, National Policy Statement for Electricity Networks Infrastructure, June http://bit.ly/iWkoCF (See page 13 - 16)
[2] CPRE Press Release, 20 June 2011, http://bit.ly/m5ttdx

A coalition of rural organisations [1] is calling for National Grid to come clean about the real cost of undergrounding power cables. Until they do, campaigners want a halt on plans to build nearly 300 miles of new overhead power lines and at least 1,000 accompanying pylons through some of the UK’s most treasured landscapes [2].

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and four other leading environmental organisations argue that National Grid should not close a public consultation on their approach to undergrounding new power cables early next month, without waiting for an independent report on the comparative cost of installing new high voltage power cables underground, sub-sea or as overhead lines. This report was requested by Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and Ofgem, at the behest of the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) Chairman Sir Michael Pitt [3] in October last year.

National Grid agreed to fund the independent study, which was to be carried out by international energy consultancy KEMA with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) providing quality assurance. According to a public note of a meeting with Sir Michael Pitt’s officials, the report was supposed to be published in January 2011. However KEMA complained that they could not complete the report with the data available – which included that provided by National Grid. The report, already five months late, has now been indefinitely postponed and KEMA removed from the project [4].

Paul Miner, Senior Planning Campaigner for CPRE says: “National Grid is a private monopoly which generates billions of pounds in profits. They will be tasked with building new power cables and argue that undergrounding them is far too expensive, yet we are being asked to accept at least a thousand more pylons in the countryside on the strength of cost estimates provided solely by National Grid. The current situation seems to suggest National Grid is happy to bury this report if it helps them to avoid burying their cables.

“Chris Huhne and the regulator Ofgem must not allow that to happen and should step in to make sure we have all the facts before deciding how any new power cables are constructed.”

National Grid continues to contend that undergrounding power cables costs between 10 and 28 times more than overhead lines. In their evidence to the abandoned KEMA study, they estimated the cost of putting power cables in tunnels would be between £26 and £45 million per km [5] yet in a recent real example in London, the company tunnelled a 400kV cable for just £5.7 million per km [5].  Evidence from other EU countries show similar costs to this UK example and puts the real cost of undergrounding power cables closer to four to five times the cost of overhead lines [6].

Paul Miner continued: “If new lines are essential we should make sure that wherever possible, we minimise their intrusion to our beautiful and valued countryside. However, we should not be expected to make these decisions based on a single quote from those who stand to profit most from its outcome.”

Ruth Chambers, Deputy Chief Executive at the Campaign for National Parks added: ““Undergrounding will be essential if some of the planned new grid connections are to succeed - otherwise the public concern about new power lines in our most precious landscapes could derail these projects or cause them serious delay.  With several National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the firing line for new connections, a rethinking of the location of electricity generation and a more joined-up approach to generation and transmission is needed urgently”.

End

Notes to Editors
[1] The group includes the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), the Campaign for National Parks (CNP), the National Association of AONBs, John Muir Trust, and the Association for the preservation of Rural Scotland (APRS)
[2] A map of proposed lines can be downloaded here: http://www.cpre.org.uk/what-we-do/energy-and-waste/electricity-pylons/the-issues
[3] National Grid Press release issued on the 6th June: http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/Media+Centre/PressReleases/2011/06.06.11+undergrounding.htm 
[4] Institution of Engineering and Technology press release: http://www.theiet.org/about/media-centre/press-releases/20110603.cfm
[5] Letter dated 7 December 2010 from Martin Kinsey, Senior Project Manager, National Grid to David Kirkland, KEMA ltd. Copied available from the CPRE Press Office. National Grid cost estimates: Overhead lines: £1.6 million - £1.8 million per km; Underground cables (direct burial): £18 million - £22 million per km; Underground cables (tunnel): £26 million - £45 million per km
[6] Case study 1: Elstree – St. John’s wood, London, Project completed November 2005.
[7] CPRE – CNP – NAAONB, An Independent Evaluation Report Of The Costs For Underground High Voltage Cables In Great Britain, December 2010.

Issued on behalf of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales, Campaign for National Parks and National Association of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty  

CPRE in alliance with three other leading countryside campaign groups [1] launch a campaign today (Wednesday) for major investment in smart electricity networks to avoid intrusive new infrastructure. The campaign aims to influence the Government’s promised vision for a ‘smart grid’ and a new national planning policy on the future of the nation’s electricity transmission network [2].

There are already 22,000 high voltage pylons carrying 4,375 miles of overhead transmission lines in England and Wales. The alliance is deeply concerned that plans outlined in a major recent Government-backed report [3] indicate that there could be many more pylons. These would aim to serve a new generation of power stations, and extend across some of our most valued countryside.

This is the immediate reaction of Bill Bryson, CPRE’s President:

‘This year we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of our National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A great birthday present would be to begin to remove the high voltage pylons that are within them or can be seen from them. Instead, National Grid [4] are planning to put up yet more overhead lines in these areas. This is crazy – more pylons do not equal progress.’

Research indicates:

• at least twelve new lines of overhead pylons, altogether stretching over at least 170 miles of countryside, are being considered across England and Wales, and three existing lines could see larger pylons;
  
• new lines could march across the Snowdonia National Park and four designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, in Anglesey, Kent, Lincolnshire and Somerset; and
  
• Green Belt land – the countryside closest to our major towns and cities – could be affected by new or larger lines of pylons in Derbyshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, London, Somerset and South Yorkshire [5].

The alliance members believe that as well as making much better use of the electricity we generate, a new smart grid for England and Wales, to parallel President Obama’s plans in the USA, should have much less impact on our valued countryside.

The alliance’s manifesto A Countryside Friendly Smart Grid [6] is calling for:

• any new high voltage transmission lines to avoid AONBs, National Parks, World Heritage Sites and Green Belt land; 
  
• the use of innovative new pylon designs, up to 33% shorter than for a typical high voltage pylon in the UK, in locations where high voltage transmission lines already affect our most important countryside or where new lines are unavoidable;
  
• measures to reduce demand on the main electricity transmission grid, such as ‘smart meters’, encouragement for community and small-scale local energy generation, and further research on methods of storage of electricity; and
  
• new offshore wind farms to be connected to the National Grid using underground cables to existing substations. The impact of substations on the countryside, including associated clutter and light pollution, should also be reduced as they are renewed or redeveloped.

Paul Miner, CPRE’s Senior Planning Campaigner, said:

‘We support the idea of a truly ‘smart grid’ – meaning both energy efficient and countryside friendly. We urge National Grid to drop proposals for new overhead lines in our most valued areas of countryside. We also want to see Government and industry doing more to reduce the impact of existing high voltage lines and other transmission infrastructure on the landscape.’
 
Ruth Chambers, Acting Chief Executive of CNP, said:

‘The potential impacts of new transmission infrastructure must be taken into account when investment and planning decisions are made on new generating capacity. Otherwise, we risk generating power in places which leave little choice but to build in our protected landscapes.  The feasibility of alternatives to new overhead lines must also be fully considered by decision makers.’

Peter Ogden, Director of CPRW, said:

‘Nothing scars our landscapes more than huge electricity transmission lines marching across them. Developing the smart grid approach offers the long overdue opportunity to link modern methods of energy creation and transmission, avoiding damage to distinctive upland panoramas and open spaces. We therefore urge Government and the National Grid to think responsibly and not to once more burden our cherished landscapes with large pylons.’

Mike Taylor, Chief Executive of NAAONB, said:

‘We recognise that the need to generate more electricity from renewable energy will require a major re-think of the National Grid. There is real danger however that the impact of the means of delivery to where the energy is needed will be overlooked. This poses a real threat to some of our most important countryside.’

– END –

NOTES FOR EDITORS

The alliance consists of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales (CPRW), Campaign for National Parks (CNP) and National Association of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (NAAONB).

Copies of CPRE’s map: Power connection: at what cost to the landscape? are available on request from the press office on 020 7981 2880

The accompanying briefing, A Countryside Friendly Smart Grid, available from CPRE’s press office on 020 7981 2880.

1. CPRE is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Bill Bryson. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen. www.cpre.org.uk

CPRW is a charity which works throughout Wales to protect and enhance the landscapes and quality of life in rural areas.  Since 1928, we have worked to increase awareness of the value and benefits of all landscapes and to encourage individuals to protect and become the stewards of their ‘local’ surroundings.  President Glyn Davies, Patron Bryn Terfel http://www.cprw.org.uk/

The Campaign for National Parks (CNP) is the national charity that campaigns to protect and promote National Parks for the benefit and quiet enjoyment of all. CNP is the only national, voluntary sector organisation dedicated to National Parks. CNP is an umbrella of nearly 40 environmental and amenity organisations across England and Wales. CNP aims to give the voluntary sector a shared vision and voice on all National Park issues. http://www.cnp.org.uk/

The National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (NAAONB) was formed in 1998 as an independent organisation to act on behalf of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in England and Wales. Its membership is largely composed of representatives from local authorities whose boundaries include AONBs and who are concerned to improve their management and funding arrangements. The Association is administered by a Management Board and holds an Annual Conference, which provides an opportunity for those working in AONBs to join together and address issues of current concern. http://www.aonb.org.uk/

2. In an interview with The Guardian on 6 March 2009 Ed Miliband MP, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, advocated the idea of a ‘smart grid’ and promised that he would issue a vision for a smart grid ‘in the coming weeks’. There will also be opportunities for the public to debate the need for, and design of, the new lines proposed by National Grid in the Government’s new National Policy Statement (NPS) on electricity transmission, expected in June 2009. There will also be inquiries held into specific projects. Assuming that these follow new procedures for considering applications for high voltage electric lines set out in the Planning Act 2008, rights of the public to participate in inquiries into specific projects will be more restricted than under present procedures. For example, there will be no scope to question the policies set out in the final NPS.

3. See Electricity Networks Strategy Group, Our Electricity Transmission Network: A Vision for 2020, March 2009. The Group has a cross industry membership and is jointly chaired by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and Office of Gas and Electricity Regulatory Markets (Ofgem).

4. National Grid is the international electricity and gas company that owns the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales and operates the system across Great Britain.

5. This information is set out in more detail in the alliance’s briefing A Countryside Friendly Smart Grid. National Grid’s broad ‘areas of search’ for new high voltage overhead lines, and the likely new electricity generation stations to which the proposed new lines relate, are set out in the accompanying map –  available on request from the CPRE press office on 020 7981 2880.  The information is taken from a recently (December 2008) issued document by National Grid, National Grid Input into UK Offshore Energy SEA: Impact on Onshore Electricity Transmission System, accessed at www.offshore-sea.org.uk/site/scripts/consultation_download_info.php?downloadID=238 on 19 February 2009. The development strategy advocated by National Grid is broadly endorsed by a March 2009 report issued by the Electricity Networks Strategy Group, a cross industry group jointly chaired by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem).

6. See the alliance’s briefing A Countryside Friendly Smart Grid. The ‘smart grid’ idea embodies radical reform to the electricity grid we currently have, through making the best use of energy and other resources, and addressing problems caused by current methods of long distance transmission. England and Wales are both densely populated countries. We believe that ‘smart’ should therefore also mean that the grid develops in a way that respects the valuable resources of our designated landscapes and Green Belts, as well as avoiding visual intrusion to our towns and cities.

Countryside campaigners CPRE, in alliance with the Campaign for National Parks, Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales and the National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (1) are calling today (Thursday) for the eventual removal of three of the largest and most unsightly lines of pylons in the country, stretching over 350 miles of countryside (2). The call comes as a new Government policy, due this month, is expected to support at least 12 new lines of overhead pylons across 170 miles of England and Wales which would add hundreds more pylons to the 22,000 high voltage pylons already owned by National Grid (3).

National Grid is considering new pylons in the Snowdonia National Park and a further three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) (4). National Parks and AONBs are the crown jewels of the landscapes of England and Wales. High voltage transmission lines owned by National Grid already directly intrude into six National Parks and 13 AONBs. Based on figures provided by National Grid, there are approximately 550 pylons in National Parks (5).

The alliance is calling for a long-term plan to dismantle three lines owned by National Grid that particularly affect our most important landscapes. The lines should be removed and then either replaced with underground or undersea cables, or re-routed. These lines run over 350 miles in total, typically involve pylons of around 50 metres in height spaced at five per mile of transmission line, and run

• across the Peak District National Park near Woodhead;
• from Dungeness to Exeter, running directly through National Parks in the New Forest and South Downs, and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Devon and Dorset; and
• in a ring crossing two parts of the Snowdonia National Park east from Trawsfynydd and on the North Wales coast in an associated back-up route.
  

Removing these lines would remove the vast majority of pylons currently in National Parks. Replacing them with underground or undersea cables, or re-routing the lines, will need major upfront investment. We are calling for

• Only the most intrusive lines to be buried, less than 10% of the overall total mileage of the current network;  
• the work to be carried out gradually over two to three decades; and
• a new role for the energy regulator, Ofgem (6), in encouraging the additional investment that will be necessary.
  

The alliance is also concerned about major new plans by National Grid for thousands more pylons in the countryside. It is urging National Grid and the new Infrastructure Planning Commission to ensure that, where new lines are unavoidable, that the least damaging options for development are taken (7).

Bill Bryson, CPRE’s President said: ‘Tens of thousands of pylons already march across our countryside. We don’t need to add still more – we can and should start to put a number of existing lines underground or under the sea. Today we challenge the Government, Ofgem and National Grid to start removing pylons from our most beautiful landscapes. If the work takes a decade or two then so be it. Future generations should be able to experience National Parks that are free of the largest pylons’.

Ruth Chambers, Deputy Director of CNP, said: ‘Electricity pylons can have a major impact on wild and beautiful landscapes.  National Grid has made a welcome commitment to protecting the environment, early consultation and considering undergrounding lines in sensitive areas.  The challenge for the next decade will be to build on this commitment and seize all possible opportunities to reduce the impact of large pylons on beautiful landscapes such as National Parks.’

Peter Ogden, Director of CPRW, said: ‘Years ago, some of Wales’ most cherished landscapes were the victims of the uninspired planning and insensitive planting of high voltage transmission lines. The new replacement programme provides the opportunity for the Government, Ofgem and National Grid to collectively undo these mistakes of the past. We trust that there is the ambition to find creative ways of restoring these landscapes to their former glory, rather than disfiguring them yet again and still further’.

Mike Taylor, Chief Executive of NAAONB, said: ‘We recognise the national need to improve the National Grid. But we also believe that this can be done without a serious long term impact on the AONBs. The Government, Ofgem and National Grid need to have the foresight to look long term and not go for a quick fix.’

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. CPRE is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Bill Bryson. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen. www.cpre.org.uk

CPRW is a charity which works throughout Wales to protect and enhance the landscapes and quality of life in rural areas.  Since 1928, we have worked to increase awareness of the value and benefits of all landscapes and to encourage individuals to protect and become the stewards of their ‘local’ surroundings.  President Glyn Davies, Patron Bryn Terfel www.cprw.org.uk.

The Campaign for National Parks (CNP) is the national charity that campaigns to protect and promote National Parks for the benefit and quiet enjoyment of all. CNP is the only national, voluntary sector organisation dedicated to National Parks. CNP is an umbrella of nearly 40 environmental and amenity organisations across England and Wales. CNP aims to give the voluntary sector a shared vision and voice on all National Park issues. www.cnp.org.uk.

The National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (NAAONB) was formed in 1998 as an independent organisation to act on behalf of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in England and Wales. Its membership is largely composed of representatives from local authorities whose boundaries include AONBs and who are concerned to improve their management and funding arrangements. The Association is administered by a Management Board and holds an Annual Conference, which provides an opportunity for those working in AONBs to join together and address issues of current concern, www.aonb.org.uk.

2. The figure of 350 miles is calculated by adding the distance from Dover to Exeter (244 miles by road, a similar distance to the Dungeness to Exeter transmission line)  with that of the other sections we name in this release - approximately 100 additional miles in total.

3. On 5 November 2009 the Government was expected to publish a draft for consultation of its new National Policy Statement on electricity transmission networks. The statement is required under the Planning Act 2008 to form the basis of decisions on the future development of new electricity lines with a voltage of higher than 132 kilovolts (kV). National Grid is the international electricity and gas company that owns the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales and operates the system across Great Britain.

4. The information is taken from a document issued in December 2008 by National Grid, National Grid Input into UK Offshore Energy SEA: Impact on Onshore Electricity Transmission System, accessed at www.offshore-sea.org.uk/site/scripts/consultation_download_info.php?downloadID=238 on 19 February 2009. The development strategy advocated by National Grid is broadly endorsed by a March 2009 report issued by the Electricity Networks Strategy Group, a cross industry group jointly chaired by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem).

5.See map The National Grid and Designated Landscapes. Photographs of locations in Snowdonia and the South Downs where pylons run through National Parks are available from CPRE’s Press Office. The map also shows that in addition to running directly across a number of designated landscapes, electricity transmission lines are also visible from, though routed outside, a number of further designated landscapes, including the Dartmoor, Lake District, and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. According to figures provided by National Grid, there are 110 miles (or 177 km) of transmission lines in National Parks. The figure of 550 pylons is calculated by assuming an average of five pylons per mile of transmission line, a figure based on transmission lines shown in Ordnance Survey maps.

6. Ofgem is the Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets. Ofgem seeks to protect gas and electricity consumers by promoting competition, wherever appropriate, and by regulating the monopoly companies which run the gas and electricity networks (www.ofgem.gov.uk/About%20us/Pages/AboutUsPage.aspx).

7. For more details of the 12 schemes being proposed by National Grid see www.cpre.org.uk/news/view/588. The Infrastructure Planning Commission (http://infrastructure.independent.gov.uk) will examine and make decisions on these projects in accordance with both the final National Policy Statement on electricity transmission networks and its judgement of the impacts of schemes on the local environment.

Responding to the publication today (Tuesday) of a new report by MPs on the Government’s proposed energy policies.[1]  Fiona Howie, Head of Planning at Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), says:

“It is clear from this insightful report that the Government needs to do far more work to avoid unnecessary environmental damage arising from the development of new energy infrastructure. For example, without significant changes proposed policies could lead to over 500 new large pylons in sensitive landscapes such as Dedham Vale on the Essex-Suffolk border. The report points out that many of these new lines may simply not be needed. We should be looking to reduce the impact of electricity transmission lines, not building more in some of our most valued areas of countryside.

“The report rightly questions the Government’s claims that many new power stations are needed when enough capacity has already been approved to ‘keep the lights on’ well past 2020. It also echoes our concern that the new Energy National Policy Statements could undermine established planning policies intended to control damaging development.”

Notes to Editors
1.The House of Commons Energy and Climate Change Committee published its report on ‘The Proposals for national policy statements on energy,’ on 23 March, 2010.
2.CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Bill Bryson. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen. www.cpre.org.uk

Countryside campaigners CPRE [1] are today (Wednesday) calling for action to reduce the proliferation of man made clutter that is choking the landscape. The charity argues that our ‘Green and Pleasant land’ is being lost under a blanket of overhead wires, phone masts, advertising boards, pylons and unnecessary road signs. The Government, through encouraging the responsible companies to work together with local communities to tackle these issues, could take a big step towards Prime Minister David Cameron’s vision of a ‘Big Society’.

There are more than 52,500 mobile phone masts in the UK [2] and around 3.5 million telephone poles supporting 9,750,000 miles of overhead wires [3]. On top of this there are 200,000 miles of overhead electricity line with all the poles and pylons needed to carry it - 27,000 miles of this cable can be found in National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) [4]. CPRE and the RAC Foundation believe up to 70 per cent of road signs in the countryside may be unnecessary [5]. On one road in the South Downs National Park (B3006), there are 300 signs on a seven mile stretch of road, or 45 signs per mile [6].

Paul Miner, Senior Planning Campaigner at CPRE, said: “Some of these structures are needed, but many are unnecessary and could be scrapped. Insufficient planning control and bad infrastructure management has caused parts of our landscape to look more like a scrap yard then the majestic green countryside.”

CPRE is calling for a number of initiatives to help restore the countryside:

• Mobile phone masts - Mobile phone network operators are moving on from the network coverage battles of the last decade and companies are doing more to share their masts. Consequently, up to a third of masts are set to become redundant. Companies should now decommission redundant towers, starting in the most visually intrusive locations. Special planning privileges for mobile phone masts are no longer needed and should be removed [7].

• Power lines – Positive work has begun on undergrounding power distribution lines with at least 78 miles of line buried in the last five years. However, there remains 27,000 miles of cable in National Parks and AONBs, much of which could and should be removed. Ofgem has provided an allowance for the past five years and from this year onwards it has become much easier for providers to use this money [8].

• Telephone lines - Ofcom is legally required to have regard to how its activities affect designated landscapes. It should therefore become a partner in the Ofgem electricity distribution undergrounding project in National Parks and AONBs [9].

• Roadside Clutter – A new requirement to audit and reduce clutter would help councils remove unnecessary signage and road markings, and encourage motorists to behave more responsibly through taking more care on the road. Alan Duncan MP in 2007 called for a legal duty to carry out ‘clutter audits’ and CPRE believes now is the right time to address this issue again [10].

 Paul Miner concluded: “When we ask people what they feel most disrupts the tranquillity and beauty of our landscapes - it’s the ugly pylons, masts and advertising boards they point to. Cleaning up this mess only takes a little effort from the companies and councils responsible, and CPRE is ready and willing to help. If they all agree to step up to the challenge, we can start to improve and restore this green and pleasant land, taking a big step towards the ‘Big Society’ at the same time.”

Ends 

Notes to Editors
1. CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Bill Bryson. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen. www.cpre.org.uk
2. Figures as at the end of 2009, provided by the Mobile Operators’ Association (www.mobilemastinfo.com).
3. The 3.5 million figure is provided in BT Openreach, Keeping the UK Connected (available from www.openreach.co.uk). Openreach also states that 13% of its network, totalling 75 million miles, is overground.
4. Energy Networks Association, The State of Our Networks 2006 (downloaded from www.energynetworks.org); Ofgem, ‘2008/09 Electricity Distribution Quality of Service Report,’ page 24 and 25.
5. See www.cpre.org.uk/news/view/439.
6. According to the results of a 2006 survey by CPRE Hampshire, and local CPRE volunteers have informed us that the situation has not changed. Work by the county council elsewhere in Hampshire has, however, led to the removal of 200 unnecessary signs along the A32, following a clutter audit. More details are available on request.
7. Mobile telecommunications network operators have wide-ranging privileges, known as ‘permitted development rights’, to erect masts without having to apply for planning permission. The Conservative Party Green Paper Open Source Planning, issued in February 2010, is set to form the basis of legislative reforms to planning announced by the Coalition Government in the Queen’s Speech. The Green Paper calls for all types of mobile phone masts to be subject to the same, full planning process as other forms of development. Information on the reduction in the number of telecommunications masts is summarised by the land agents Strutt & Parker at www.struttandparker.com/html/infocus-phone-mast-decommissioning.php.
8. Ofgem, see note 4 above.
9. See Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Duties on relevant authorities to have regard to the purposes of National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, (AONBs) and the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads: Guidance Note, downloaded from www.defra.gov.uk/rural/documents/protected/npaonb-duties-guide.pdf.
10. For more details see www.cpre.org.uk/news/view/372.