National Grid launch public consultation on early-stage proposals for Grimsby to Walpole, a key infrastructure project in the UK transition to a decarbonised energy system
- National Grid is inviting communities in Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, and West Norfolk to view proposals for new overhead electricity line.
National Grid will consult communities for eight weeks to introduce the project and ask for local peoples’ opinions.
The project forms part of The Great Grid Upgrade, the largest overhaul of the grid in generations, with new infrastructure across England and Wales helping the UK to meet its net zero ambitions, reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to lower energy bills over the long-term.
Grimsby to Walpole will be able to transport 6 gigawatts of power and connect proposed new sources of electricity that are planned to come onshore on the east coast.
National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) is running a public consultation from 18 January 2024 to 13 March 2024 for its early-stage proposals on Grimsby to Walpole.
National Grid’s proposals form part of The Great Grid Upgrade – the largest overhaul of the grid in generations. The upgrade plans come as the UK accelerates its transition to cheaper, cleaner and more secure forms of energy, which require changes to the network of overhead lines, pylons, cables and other infrastructure that transports electricity around the country so that everyone has access to clean, more affordable electricity from new renewable sources.
The project involves proposals to build a new high-voltage electricity transmission line and five new substations, over approximately 140 km. The reinforcement would run from a new substation in Grimsby West and a new substation located at Walpole in Norfolk, with three new connection substations along the route.
The upgrade – referred to as ‘Grimsby to Walpole’ – is required to support the UK’s net zero target by reinforcing the electricity transmission network in Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, and facilitate the connection of planned offshore wind generation, battery storage and solar, interconnectors with other countries and subsea links to Scotland, allowing clean energy to be carried on the network.
As part of the consultation, members of the public will have the opportunity to share their feedback on the proposals, including the preliminary route, design, and substation siting areas along 11 sections of the route:
- Section 1: Grimsby West – Barnoldby le Beck
- Section 2: Barnoldby le Beck – North Thoresby
- Section 3: North Thoresby – Alvingham and Keddington
- Section 4: Alvingham and Keddington - Tothill
- Section 5: Tothill - Cumberworth
- Section 6: Cumberworth – Burgh le Marsh
- Section 7: Burgh le Mash - Midville
- Section 8: Midville – River Witham
- Section 9: River Witham – River Welland
- Section 10: River Welland – B1165
- Section 11: B1165 - Walpole
National Grid is also running 11 in-person consultation events and eight online webinars during this period, including:
In-person events:
Event location | Date | Time |
Tyde St Giles Community Centre, Broad Drove East, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, PE13 5LN | Wednesday 31 January 2024 | 2pm - 7pm |
Moulton Seas End Village Hall, Seas End Road, Moulton Seas End, PE12 6LD | Friday 2 February 2024 | 2pm - 7pm |
Burgh Le Marsh, Springfield Jacksons Lane, Burgh Le Marsh, Irby In The Marsh, PE24 5LA | Wednesday 7 February 2024 | 2pm - 7pm |
Alford Corn Exchange, 9 Market Place, Alford, LN13 9EB | Saturday 10 February 2024 | 11am - 5pm |
North Thoresby Village Hall, The Square, North Thoresby, Grimsby. DN36 5QL | Tuesday 13 February 2024 | 2pm - 7pm |
Eastville, Midville, New Leaker Village Hall, Station Road, New Leake, Lincolnshire, PE22 8LS | Friday 16 February 2024 | 2pm - 7pm |
Walpole Community Centre, Summer Close, Walpole St Andrew, Wisbech, PE14 7JW | Tuesday 20 February 2024 | 2pm - 7pm |
The Pavilion, London Road, Louth, LN11 9QP | Thursday 22 February 2024 | 2pm - 7pm |
Oaklands Hall Hotel, Barton Street, Laceby, Grimsby, Lincolnshire, DN37 7LF | Saturday 24 February 2024 | 11am - 5pm |
Hubberts Bridge Community Centre, Kimberly Frampton Fen Lane, Boston, PE20 3QU | Tuesday 27 February 2024 | 2pm – 7pm |
Alvingham Village Hall, Yarburgh Road, Alvingham, Lincolnshire, LN11 0QG | Thursday 29 February 2024 | 2pm – 7pm |
Online webinars:
Webinar session | Date | Time |
Introduction to Grimsby to Walpole project proposals – general overview | Tuesday 23 January 2024 | 2pm - 3pm |
Our proposals in Sections 1 (Grimsby West to Barnoldby le Beck) and 2 (Barnoldby le Beck to North Thoresby) | Thursday 25 January 2024 | 10am - 11am |
Our proposals in Sections 3 (North Thoresby to Alvingham and Keddington) and 4 (Alvingham and Keddington to Tothill) | Monday 29 January 2024 | 7pm - 8pm |
Our proposals in Sections 5 Tothill to Cumberworth) and 6 (Cumberworth to Burgh le Marsh) | Monday 5 February 2024 | 2pm - 3pm |
Our proposals at the Lincolnshire Connection Substations | Thursday 15 February 2024 | 10am - 11am |
Our proposals in Sections 7 Burgh le Marsh to Midville) and 8 (Midville to River Witham) | Saturday 2 March 2024 | 10am - 11am |
Our proposals in Sections 9 River Witham to River Welland), 10 River Welland to B1165) and 11 (B1165 to Walpole) | Tuesday 5 March 2024 | 7pm - 8pm |
Introduction to Grimsby to Walpole project proposals – general overview | Thursday 7 March 2024 | 2pm- 3pm |
Ben Muncey, Project Director for Grimsby to Walpole, commented: “This reinforcement between Grimsby and Walpole is essential in the UK’s journey to net zero by 2050 and is part of a wider programme to upgrade the entire network. We look forward to hearing views from members of the public and we welcome feedback on our proposals.”
To register for a webinar or for any questions or information, members of the public can email [email protected]or call the community relations team on 0800 0129 153. The project webpage can also be accessed at nationalgrid.com/g-w, which will be updated with consultation information on 18 January 2024.
