This manifesto for the future of the national electricity grid has been issued by CPRE, in conjunction with a wider alliance of countryside campaigners. It calls for a smart grid that has a reduced impact on the landscape, and to reduce the need for new grid infrastructure in the longer term.

This report sets out our concerns that the costs of underground high voltage cables may have been significantly overestimated, and conversely that of overhead lines underestimated, in industry calculations to date. We also believe that insufficient attention has been given to the amenity benefits of undergrounding, some of which have economic values.

In early 2009 plans began to emerge for major expansion of the National Grid. This map shows the current high voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales along with the locations where new lines are being proposed in protected areas of countryside.

Map showing the location of new electricity pylons which would cut through National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

A map show plans for new electricity lines and existing high power electricity lines.