Norman Baker MP Member of Parliament for Lewes constituency
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Contact Norman at:
Norman Baker,
23 East Street,
Lewes,
East Sussex,
BN7 2LJ.
Tel: (01273) 480281.
Fax: (01273) 480287.
Email: info
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Local MP challenges DTI to think under the pylon
Norman Baker MP today has written to the Department of Trade and Industry to register his formal objection to plans to refurbish overhead conductors across an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Norman is asking that the environmental impact of the conductors should be properly assessed and that the line be underground, at least in part.
Norman has received a number of letters from local groups of concerned constituents regarding the reinstatement of the overhead conductors between Lewes and Newhaven. The proposed route of the conductors cuts right through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Norman has long called for the removal of the pylon at Southerham, part of the line in question. He introduced a debate in the House of Commons on the matter on Wednesday 8 February 2006 and wrote to the Department of Transport earlier this year to challenge them to incorporate the construction of underground energy transport routes into road improvement works to the A27 between Southerham and Beddingham.
Commenting on this Norman said:
"Pylons are extremely ugly when stretched across beautiful countryside. I see no reason why such eyesores should be recommissioned when there are viable alternatives. It seems to me that there is just no need for an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to be so brutally disfigured.
"I am asking the government to take on board the points I have made. Surely now is the time to harness the public’s new found environmental conscience and start setting new precedents for how we transport our energy, particularly over sensitive landscapes such as the South Downs."