Latest changes to Sea Link plans are not enough

The council still has concerns regarding significant issues, including:

• Permanent access to the converter station site, resulting in the potential for construction traffic seven days a week
• Core working hours at the site of 7am to 5pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays, giving no respite to local residents and businesses
• The unsuitability of Benhall Railway Bridge as an access route, including the potential for dangerous queuing of traffic on the A12 during construction
• A survey of the Benhall Railway Bridge, commissioned by Suffolk Highways has highlighted significant concerns regarding its capacity to accommodate abnormal loads
• Plans to relocate of the Fromus Crossing bridge further north, with a still-expected height of up to 6 metres, are likely to result in notable impacts to heritage assets

The council believes that a coordinated and integrated access solution between the major energy infrastructure projects affecting the county, including Sizewell C and National Grid, would considerably reduce many of these specific issues and community impacts.

Councillor Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, said:

“We have no option but to continue to object to National Grid’s plans which would not only have stark environmental impact but remain wholly unacceptable to local residents and businesses.

“The lack of any movement from National Grid is frustrating as we continue to press the case for a coordinated access solution between the major energy infrastructure projects in the area, should they go ahead.

“As an example on the Sea Link project, we have repeatedly engaged with National Grid to propose alternatives to the Fromus Crossing – the plans to move the crossing, 40m to the north, will result in a greater visual impact on the key views from the south of the conservation area, the Grade II Church of St John the Baptist, and the Grade II listed Hurts Hall.

“The council also has significant concerns regarding the capacity of Benhall Bridge to accommodate the huge abnormal loads that National Grid propose. Taking this route not only risks huge delays to other traffic but the required improvements, if indeed they are possible to deliver, risk disruption on a key rail route that, as well as serving local residents, will play an important role in the construction of Sizewell C.

“We have always acknowledged the need to increase domestic energy generation and deliver energy security to the UK. But this must not happen without due consideration for our local communities.”

Suffolk County Council formally objected to National Grid’s Sea Link project in August 2024, citing the concerns above, among others.

None of National Grid’s recent changes will affect this position, and the council has outlined many more technical concerns in its latest response to the plans .

The council has also noted significant public interest in the design process of the converter station site. It urges National Grid to publish the findings of the Design Review Panel to help all concerned to understand the design approach to the converter station site.

National Grid expects to submit its application for development consent in early 2025.