Councillor Tim Pickstone

Contact Tim

National Grid opens consultation on proposed routes of ‘mega pylons’

National Grid have begin the consolation period for the English part of the ‘Cross Border Connect’, a brand new pylon line linking Scotland and England.

Two options are proposed, a line coming from just north of Kershopefoot to just south of Longtown, and then two options for connecting to the national network:
– North of Carlisle, with a new sub-station at Blackford, and then connecting to the existing pylons at Harker
– South of Carlisle, with the line continuing south past Scotby, to a new sub-station next to Junction 42 of the M6 south of Cumwhinton.

The pylons would be approximately 60m high.

This is the proposed route through our area (see this website to zoom in more closely on the maps).

The consultation is open until 10th December 2025. Following on from this a further consultation is proposed in advance of planning applications in 2028. If approved, construction could begin in 2030, with the Cross Border Connection expected to be operational by 2033.

National Grid are organising a series of consultation events:

VenueTime and date
Crosby-on-Eden Parish Hall, Crosby-on-Eden, Carlisle, CA6 4QNSaturday 25 October, 11am – 4pm
Nicholforest Public Hall, Warwicksland, Penton, Carlisle, CA6 5QDTuesday 28 October, 2pm – 7pm
Wetheral Village Community Hall, Cumwhinton Road, Wetheral, Carlisle, CA4 8HESaturday 1 November, 2pm – 7pm
The Rockcliffe Centre, Rockcliffe, Carlisle, CA6 4AATuesday 4 November, 2pm – 7pm
Wreay Village Hall, Wreay, CA4 0RLThursday 6 November, 2pm – 7pm 
Longtown Memorial Hall Community Centre, Arthuret Road, Longtown, Carlisle, CA6 5SJSaturday 8 November 11am-4pm

There are also online webinars:

Webinar name Locations covered Time and date 
Webinar 1Section 1 – England-Scotland border – B6318 Section 2 – B6318 – Rae Burn Section 3 – Rae Burn – Woodlands Industrial ParkTuesday 11 November, 7pm – 8pm
Webinar 2Section 4 (Option A) – Woodlands Industrial Park – A689 (including the North of Carlisle substation)Thursday 30 October, 12pm – 1pm
Webinar 3Section 4 (Option B) – Woodlands Industrial Park – A689 (Option B) Section 5 – A689 – Scotby Section 6 – Scotby – Cocklakes Yard (including the South of Carlisle substation)Friday 14 November, 12pm – 1pm
Webinar 4General – overview of proposalsMonday 17 November, 7pm – 8pm

Response

  1. Neil Burton Avatar
    Neil Burton

    Dear Sir,
    As you are a local council official may I, get you to forward some of the questions to national grid
    I Neil Burton,
    Have objections to the development of the Option A Blackford Pylon Project.
    National Grid.
    Date sent 06/12/2025

    • I am personally concerned about the impact National Grids Blackford’s Proposal will have on the local community
    • One question of your statements on the paperwork sent to residents states the proposed address as an industrial estate. Having lived in the locality for over 40 years I have never come across this or is it another rouse to make people think there is already development in the areas.
    • Infrastructure: During construction, there will be major disruption on single track roads from both the construction workers arriving and leaving each day, along with the heavy goods vehicle deliveries for all the concrete and the equipment required to house such projects.
    • The welfare units; the solar panels and related housing; the water tanks; the impermeable layer; the removal of waste from the 100+ workers; the water required on site; the fencing panels
    • Landscape and Visual Impact & Noise: Has this been considered the effects of the local wildlife such as deer, fox, badgers and bats & migratory wildfowl new pylons will have a huge impact on migratory geese. Biodiversity: Has there has been no Environmental Impact Assessment carried out, then there is no proper oversight into the effect on habitats for the known animals and vertebrae in the adjoining designated Ancient Woodland, or for the other protected species such as the ground nesting birds.
    • Has an emergency response plan as required for the site and for the area as a whole – including evacuation of residential properties and livestock, currently some residents would have to drive towards the site as their only evacuation route.
    • Water source, for fire containment: Huge volumes of water will be required to be stored on site for potential fire suppression. Where will this water be sourced? Will it be trucked in? (adding to the construction traffic). What chemicals will be used to prevent stagnation and freezing? Or will there be an onsite fire station as it according to you National Grid it is already an industrial site

    Please reconsider your proposed development at Blackford surely my concerns have raised enough questions to make you re-evaluate your proposals.

    Yours sincerely

    Neil Burton
    6 Harker Park
    Harker
    Carlisle
    CA6 4HS
    07415349993

    Like

    Reply

Leave a Reply