RESIDENTS will once again get the chance to have their say on controversial plans to bring 18 miles of overhead and underground electric cables to north Essex.

The National Grid is consulting on changes to the Bramford to Twinstead 'reinforcement' proposals in the western part of the Stour Valley.

The consultation will also show smaller changes to the plans across the wider route of the proposed reinforcement.

The consultation will run for four weeks from September 8 to October 7.

A public exhibition will also occur on September 15 at the Sudbury Masonic Hall.

An ‘ask the experts session’ will be held at Twinstead Village Hall on September 16 at 10am followed by a webinar on September 21 at 5pm.

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 proposals aim to reinforce the electricity network between Bramford and Twinstead by 2028.

The changes are predominantly in the parishes of Lamarsh, Alphamstone, Twinstead, Pebmarsh and Little Maplestead and therefore they are more likely to be affected.

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.  

It is also proposed to install a section of underground cables using trenchless construction methods, which means there would be no need to dig trenches to install the powerlines.

Project director Liam Walker said: “This new connection between Bramford and Twinstead is essential to carry more clean energy to homes and businesses across the UK, and to help the country reach net zero by 2050.

“We thank everyone who has already commented on the plans - your feedback has been essential in helping us to develop our proposals.

“We look forward to hearing your further feedback on the changes we have made.”

Members of the public can take part in the consultation and speak with National Grid’s team by attending the public exhibition, the online webinar, by booking a slot at our ‘ask the experts’ session or by visiting the project website.

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

Written feedback can be handed in at Halstead, Sible Hedingham, Sudbury and Hadleigh libraries.

To find out more visit, nationalgrid.com/bramford-twinstead.