Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner says pylons pose a ‘serious risk’ to the emergency services radio network

A proposal to install pylons over an 87 mile route pose a ‘serious risk’ to the operation of the county’s emergency services, says the police and crime commissioner.

Marc Jones has lodged an objection to the National Grid proposal citing fears of the impact of the pylons on the emergency services radio networks.

The National Grid is running a public consultation – which ends tomorrow – is looking to install a string of pylons between Grimsby and Walpole, in Norfolk, to improve transmission of energy around the country.

In a letter, which has been posted on social media, Mr Jones said: “I believe the proposals present a serious risk to the ability of all emergency services in the county to protect the people of Lincolnshire by impacting on the mission critical communications network – airwave.

“Powerlines and the pylons structures themselves are likely to interfere with communications.

“There is no mitigation that can guarantee continued full functioning of our communications with an above ground solution.

“The operation of airwave emergency services radio networks in close proximity to 400kv overhead power lines can be impacted by electromagnetic interference (EMI) generated by these powerlines.

“EMI occurs when electromagnetic radiation from the power lines interferes with the radio signals used by emergency services.”

Signal degradation, communications interruptions, increased noise levels and equipment malfunction were among the possible problems highlighted by Mr Jones in his letter.

Mr Jones’s spokesman says that the height and higher voltage of the cables presents more a risk than the existing pylons which run through the county.

A spokesperson for National Grid said: “National Grid operates and maintains 7000km of existing high voltage overhead electricity line across England and Wales without interference issues to existing emergency services operations.

“When we propose any new equipment, we have an obligation under the Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations to ensure we do not impact third party operations, which we commit to for every project. This will be achieved through our overhead line design, which limits radiofrequency emissions to British Standards and careful routeing for very localised effects. We will work with statutory stakeholders as we develop our proposals further.”

The National Grid public consultation will be ending tomorrow. If you would like to make a comment click here.

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