SEAS rally calls for common sense approach

Around 500 people attended the rally at Aldeburgh at the weekend, organised by campaign group Suffolk Energy Action Solutions (SEAS).

The event was to promote the importance of an integrated offshore grid to replace the current land based proposals being promoted by National Grid.

SEAS is backing the creation of an offshore grid to take cabling, which would reduce the need for onshore infrastructure. SPS supports SEAS in its campaign and we are hopeful the new Labour government will re-evaluate plans to create energy infrastructure in the Suffolk countryside.

The new Labour MP for Suffolk Coastal, Jenny Riddell-Carpenter, attended the rally and made a speech which called for “common sense” in planning energy infrastructure, a “strategic plan” with cabling brought closer to where the demand is and “a brownfield first approach”.

Fiona Gilmore (SEAS) said she hoped the Government would re-evaluate the infrastructure plans and “see the bigger picture.”

Diana Quick performed some readings; other speakers included Lord Deben; Adams Rowlands of the RSPB and Tom Daly Green Party member for Aldeburgh & Leiston and the rally was concluded with a recital from Rick Wakeman.

There are currently three proposed interconnectors as well as offshore windfarms which are all set to connect into the grid at Friston (see details here). SPS congratulates SEAS for organising such a successful event to raise the profile of this important issue which will have a hugely damaging impact a large area of east Suffolk.