Concerns have been raised by Suffolk County Council about the latest updates to National Grid’s Sea Link project, in particular plans for constructing a permanent bridge across the River Fromus.
The bridge would be used during the construction of the scheme, as part of a private access route to the converter station site at Saxmundham.
These plans have come to light in details published by National Grid (8 July 2024). Included are refinements made to its original project proposal, following a public consultation last year – however it says that although some changes have been made, plans remain largely the same.
Officers from Suffolk County Council will now review these latest revisions in detail and respond accordingly. However, a preliminary assessment has raised significant concerns, particularly in relation to the bridge, which could have a total height of around 20 feet and have a total span, including the embankments, of over 500 feet.
Councillor Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, said:
“Should the Sea Link project go ahead, the bridge will likely have significant impacts on the landscape, adjacent heritage assets, and the water environment.
“The proposed bridge appears to be absolutely the wrong approach, and a disproportionate solution for creating the site access. From our initial look at the plans, there are likely to be more suitable routes, which would be less harmful.
“But if it really is the best answer, to prove this, National Grid needs to undertake a comprehensive and transparent review of the alternatives and publish their findings.
“The county council calls on National Grid to be open to new ideas, and where possible, to integrate their access proposals with those of other infrastructure projects. That will minimise the impact on the environment and local communities, who deserve the respect of a thoughtful and carefully considered proposal.”
Sea Link is a proposal for a new 2 gigawatt subsea high voltage direct current electricity connection, developed by National Grid Electricity Transmission. It is approximately 140km in length and predominately offshore.
It proposes a converter station near Saxmundham which will be up to 26 metres high, the cable landfall from offshore will be between Aldeburgh and Thorpeness, with around 12km of underground cabling connecting the sites, including a substation at Friston.
Local residents and communities are encouraged to share their views, and have until 11 August 2024 to give feedback on the latest changes, and the proposals in general. National Grid expects to submit its application for development consent in early 2025.
