Pylons election issue in South Norfolk and Waveney Valley

But campaigners have warned East Anglia “will revolt” after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s comments about energy infrastructure.

Sir Keir Starmer

National Grid's Norwich to Tilbury scheme would see 114 miles of pylons built over swathes of the Norfolk countryside - including in the South Norfolk and Waveney Valley constituencies.

Campaigners are opposing the pylon plans (Image: Newsquest)

National Grid says the line, with 50-metre high pylons, is needed to carry electricity generated by North Sea wind farms.

Critics argue the power company has not properly considered alternatives, such as undersea cables.

Those critics were angered by Labour leader Sir Keir when, BBC presenter Nick Robinson asked if he would stand firm against people objecting to pylons in order to “get the economy moving” and if he was prepared to make enemies.

Sir Keir said: “Yes, we’re going to have to be tough. We’re going to have to change how things get done.”

His comments triggered an angry response from campaign group Essex Suffolk Norfolk Pylons said: “It is disgusting to hear a possible future prime minister talking in such arrogant and dismissive terms about his electorate.

“Taking tough decisions is not the same as vowing to make enemies of the people.

“If Sir Keir wants a fight if Labour wins the election, he’s got one coming. The people of East Anglia will revolt.”

The Labour leader’s comments come at a time when pylons are looming large over the election campaign.

The Conservative Party manifesto included a commitment for a "rapid review into the advantages of alternative network technologies, compared to overhead pylons".

It stated: "The review will consider moving to a presumption in favour of undergrounding where cost competitive."

READ MORE: Norfolk and Waveney General Election 2024 candidate list

But the Green Party, which has made the Waveney Valley a target seat, said the Tory manifesto is not a commitment to an offshore solution.

The Greens said their manifesto states: "We support the extensive use of offshore power distribution networks to reduce the amount of onshore connection infrastructure needed along our coastlines, an approach being applied by our European neighbours."

READ MORE: How do I get a Norfolk postal vote for the General Election?

Adrian Ramsay, Green candidate for Waveney Valley, said: "I'm delighted our manifesto has a commitment to offshoring to reduce the impact of pylons and onshore infrastructure.

"The Conservative manifesto appears to have rejected the offshoring option and is only talking about undergrounding if it is cheaper than pylons.

"When it comes to reaching net zero, it is more important to get it right than trying to do it on the cheap."

Prof Catherine Rowett

Dr Catherine Rowett, Green candidate for South Norfolk, said: "Laying cables underground is still hugely destructive to hedges, trees and rare habitats, along a route that is sparsely populated—which is precisely why it is a haven of precious wildlife and biodiversity."

The Liberal Democrat manifesto includes a commitment to build more “energy interconnectors” which would be “located carefully to avoid disruption to local communities and minimise environmental damage”.

READ MORE: South Norfolk Labour candidate reveals stance on pylons

Other Waveney Valley candidates are Dr Gurpreet Padda (Labour), Richard Rout (Conservative), John Shreeve (Liberal Democrats), Scott Huggins (Reform UK) and Maya Severyn (Social Democratic Party).

Other South Norfolk candidates are Chris Brown (Liberal Democrat) Paco Davila (Independent), Ben Goldsborough (Labour), Chris Harrison (Reform UK), Jason Maguire (Social Democratic Party) and Poppy Simister-Thomas (Conservative).