• All feedback received will now be examined and help shape thinking as project proposals are finalised
• Planning application due to be submitted to Planning Inspectorate this autumn

National Grid is working its way through the feedback received during what is likely to be its last public consultation before plans for the Richborough Connection are submitted.

The consultation saw hundreds of people give feedback on National Grid's plans to build a new electricity connection between Richborough and Canterbury.

Project Manager Steve Self said: "I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who took part in the recent consultation."

Over 450 people gave feedback during the consultation period which began on February 10 and ended March 27.

Mr Self added: "We're going through all the comments people made and this feedback will help shape our thinking as we prepare our proposals for submission to the planning inspectorate this autumn.

"We'll continue to keep the local community informed of developments as we move forward with our plans."

The Richborough Connection is needed to join Nemo Link® (an electricity link between Belgium and the UK) to the electricity transmission network. A new electricity connection between Richborough and Canterbury is required to do this and the plans involve building a new overhead line.

For more information on the project go to www.richboroughconnection.co.uk

To contact the project team people can:

• Call Freephone number 0800 157 7878

• Write to FREEPOST RICHBCONNECTION

• Send an email to [email protected]

To follow the project on Twitter: @NGRichborough

Contact for media information only:

Photos:

For photos relating to this news release please visit the National Grid photo stream

Notes to Editors:

The current proposed route for the Richborough Connection is very similar to the draft route announced in May 2014. It still has the least environmental impact and allows for UK Power Networks' existing line in the same area to be removed. It also still runs further away from homes in Hersden, Upstreet, Sarre and Gore Street than the UK Power Networks line. Additionally it is now also further away from homes in Monkton and Minster than the two existing UK Power Networks lines (including the one to be removed). The revised plans also propose to use low height lattice pylons in the Ash Levels, to minimise the impact on the local area and wildlife.

Typical high-voltage pylon dimensions

Standard lattice - height: around 46 to 50m, cross arm: 17.1m, base 7.5m square

Low height lattice pylon - height: 35-42m, cross arm: 29.2m wide, base: 7m square

T-pylon (solid structure) - height: 34m to 39m, cross arm: 30.5m, base: 2m

Height of existing lower voltage 132kV pylons in the area - approximately 26m

Comparison to a local landmark - Canterbury Cathedral is 72m tall.

Nemo Link Limited

Nemo Link Limited is a joint project between National Grid International Ltd - a separately regulated National Grid company - and the Belgian electricity transmission system operator Elia.

Under the law Nemo Link must be treated the same as any other company applying to connect to the electricity transmission system.

For more information on this project go to www.nemo-link.com

For media information only on Nemo Link® contact:

Isobel Rowley

07917 211116

[email protected]

About National Grid

National Grid is one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world and has been named Responsible Business of the Year 2014 by Business in the Community. We own and manage the grids that connect people to the energy they need, from whatever the source. In Britain and the north-eastern states of the US we run systems that deliver gas and electricity to millions of people, businesses and communities.

In Britain, we run the gas and electricity systems that our society is built on, delivering gas and electricity across the country. In the North Eastern US, we connect more than seven million gas and electric customers to vital energy sources, essential for our modern lifestyles.

National Grid in the UK:

• We own the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales, operating it across Great Britain
• We own and operate the high pressure gas transmission system in Britain
• Our gas distribution business delivers gas to 10.9 million homes and businesses
• We also own a number of related businesses including LNG importation, land remediation and metering
• National Grid manages the National Gas Emergency Service free phone line on behalf of the industry - 0800 111 999 (all calls are recorded and may be monitored).
• Our portfolio of other businesses is mainly concerned with infrastructure provision and related services where we can exploit our core skills and assets to create value. These businesses operate in areas such as Metering, Grain LNG Import, Interconnectors and Property. National Grid Carbon Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of National Grid. It undertakes Carbon Capture Storage related activities on behalf of National Grid.

National Grid in the US:

• National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.4 million customers in New England and upstate New York
• We own 3.8 gigawatts of contracted electricity generation, providing power to over one million LIPA customers
• We are the largest distributor of natural gas in northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.5 million customers in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Find out more about the energy challenge and how National Grid is helping find solutions to some of the challenges we face at www.nationalgridconnecting.com