The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Regarding the proposal by National Grid (NG) to install a new high voltage power line through parts of South Holland.
At the moment I am concerned mainly with the part of it that runs through Holbeach St Johns/Fleet, though the Whaplode, Moulton and Tydd area will no doubt also be interested. They may be affected too. The line carries power from Grimsby to Walpole and serves the south of England.
We are talking about very large pylons carrying very high voltages.
The map issued by NG shows a rough guide for the route, their line being over a mile wide in places.
At some stage NG will probably commission a survey to determine a more exact route.
It is therefore important that the survey terms of reference are transparent and indicate how close to homes the line will be and where, if at all, it goes underground.
We need to influence those terms of reference before things move forward.
Once a survey is completed it is likely to be too late for changes.
The NG proposal will affect numerous householders and also the farming community. We need to act now.
The total area covered by the line is too big to tackle in one bite, each village/town will need to have their own campaign but it would be great if all the local ones would co-operate and perhaps form a single committee comprised of representatives from each area.
As an opening to the process I propose a public meeting, possibly at Holbeach St John village hall, some time in late February.
I do not believe there is any point in inviting representatives from NG to this first meeting.
Public opinion needs to be studied first, so we know what to ask them, though that would be necessary later.
This open letter is being circulated to elected representatives for Holbeach St John/Fleet with copies for information to other interested parties and also posted on Spotted Holbeach and sent to the local printed media.
I hope recipients will also pass this on to anyone else who they think should be involved.
It is my hope that one or more of our district and/or parish councillors will volunteer to take over and organise/run the meeting and the campaign, certainly we need their help, but failing that I will reluctantly try to do so myself.
Paul Foyster
Holbeach
