It will ruin some families by massively devaluing their homes, without any compensation. It will promote uneconomic bulk transport of power from north to south, wasting energy worth over 500 million every year in generation and transmission, as well as causing environmental damage. It will cost consumers dearly, in capital to build and in revenue for increased operating costs both for the line and for knock-on grid developments elsewhere throughout England. The great majority of landowners refused to grant wayleaves, despite outrageous inducements. There is overwhelming public and all-party local authority opposition.
People fear possible health risks from electromagnetic fields, which new evidence is reinforcing.
It will facilitate increased imports of cheaper power from Scotland. Lengthy transmission is wasteful and costly. It will promote competition among generators. It will enable removal of a shorter but intrusive line in Teesside. It will be very profitable for National Grid and Scottish Power.