National Grid pylon plan could be derailed by World Heritage Site status bid for bird 'super highway'

Plans to build a 180km stretch of 50m high pylons across East Anglia have been hit with 90 million new problems this week.

The East Atlantic Flyway, which is a ‘super highway’ for migrating birds, has been nominated to become the first World Heritage Site of its kind, following government backing.

The route, which includes the whole of the east coast of England, including Norfolk and Suffolk, is used by 90 million birds each year.

If the area becomes an accepted World Heritage Site, it would gain extra international legal protection, throwing serious doubt on a project put forward by utility giant National Grid, which would see a fresh line of high-voltage pylons run between Norwich and Tilbury – impacting both Bressingham and Diss.

Rosie Pearson, founder of the Essex Suffolk Norfolk Pylons action group, said: “This is very exciting news .

“Our group recently commissioned a report on the grave danger that overhead pylons create for high-risk bird species in our area, including swans, barn owls, kestrels, herons and Canada geese.

“Our figures show that power lines can kill these birds in substantial numbers.

“This corridor is used by over 90 million coastal and wild birds every year, and we are delighted that the Department for Culture Media and Sport is supporting a bid for its World Heritage Site recognition – the first site of its kind.

“The department has acknowledged that huge transient bird populations pass through this area every year as seasons change.”

The RSPB says the east coast area is a “key destination and pit stop for birds flying to and from Scandinavia, northern Europe and the Canadian Arctic”.

National Grid says the project is needed to increase capacity and support the UK’s move to reduce carbon emissions.

Campaigners claim that serious consideration has not been given to alternate options, and have called for the entire network to be placed underground.