TIME is running out for residents to have their say on controversial plans to bring 18 miles of overhead and underground electric cables to north Essex, despite an extension to the consultation period.

National Grid is currently consulting on changes to the Bramford to Twinstead Reinforcement in the western part of the Stour Valley, alongside smaller changes across the wider route.

The plans for the reinforcement include building a new 400 kV electricity transmission reinforcement between Bramford substation and Twinstead Tee, comprising 19 km of overhead line and 10 km of underground cables. National Grid would also remove around 27 km of existing pylons. 

In the consultation, National Grid wants to get public opinion on proposals to change the route of underground cables in the western part of the Stour Valley.  

The move is part of a wider scheme to reach net zero by 2050 and connect 40GW of offshore wind to the grid by 2030.

The consultation launched on Thursday 8 September and was originally due to conclude next week, on October 7.

However, last month National Grid announced that it would extend the consultation until 23:59 on Wednesday, October 19.

This decision, which will allow stakeholders and the community more time to respond, was taken following the passing of Her Majesty the Queen and in respect to the national period of mourning that took place earlier in the consultation period.

National Grid encourages those interested in the proposals to visit the project website and give their feedback. 

Anyone with further questions about the proposals is invited to contact the project team by email at contact@bramford-twinstead.nationalgrid.com or by calling 0808 196 1515. 

Residents who prefer to respond to the consultation via post can receive a printed copy of the feedback form and freepost envelope by contacting us.

Paper copies of consultation materials are also available to view at several locations in the local area.  

Written feedback forms can be collected at Halstead, Sible Hedingham, Sudbury and Hadleigh libraries.

Feedback can also be submitted using freepost envelopes, by writing to ‘Freepost B To T Reinforcement’, or by emailing contact@bramford-twinstead.nationalgrid.com.

Comments can also be submitted online at nationalgrid.com/bramford-twinstead.