The National Grid has extended the public consultation on the Norwich to Tilbury powerline for an additional five weeks.
The call for responses will now close at 11:59pm on Friday July 26, to allow for additional time for people to have their say and to make way for the general election.
The 184km-long power line from Norwich, Norfolk, to Tilbury, Essex, would feature 50m-high pylons to move electricity produced by offshore windfarms.
A map showing the proposed new route (Image: National Grid)
Liam Walker, project director for Norwich to Tilbury, said: “We’d like to thank everyone for taking part in our statutory consultation so far, your comments and feedback are invaluable in helping to refine our proposals for this important development.
“In light of the general election, we felt it was important to extend the deadline for consultation responses and give everyone time to provide their comments. If you haven’t yet done so, please do get involved, visit our website, and find out more.”
Two new windfarms have been recently approved off the Suffolk coast - East Anglia One North (EA1N) and East Anglia Two (EA2).
The plans have been controversial, sparking backlash from communities and politicians alike.
Suffolk Energy Action Solutions' Fiona Gilmore welcomed a report calling for the pylons to be halted (Image: Charlotte Bond)
Both Suffolk County Council and Norfolk County Council have opposed the plans, while environmental charities and farmers have spoken against it.
The new line would mostly feature overhead lines and pylons, with some underground cables and a new 400kV substation.
The National Grid has also moved its five remaining webinars until after the general election in early July.
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