Underground Power Lines (Thames Gateway) (Hansard, 12 March 2004)

§ Jon Cruddas
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with(a) the utility companies, (b) ministerial colleagues and (c) local regeneration agencies on undergrounding power lines in the Thames Gateway. [160005]

§ Mr. Timms
The Department of Trade and Industry is fully committed to regeneration and growth in the Thames Gateway and are aware that it contains an unusual concentration of overhead power lines. My officials have been working closely with ODPM, other Government Departments and the local regeneration agencies to consider whether some of these might be undergrounded or re-routed. They have also had meetings with the utility company responsible for most of the lines involved and with developers working in the Gateway. Ministers have been kept regularly informed of progress and have had discussions with counterparts in other Departments.

§ Jon Cruddas
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the cost of undergrounding power lines in the Thames Gateway; and what resources she has made available to help with the cost of undergrounding power lines in the major development sites in the Thames Gateway. [160006]

§ Mr. Timms
Discussions regarding estimates of the costs of undergrounding some sections of the power lines in the Thames Gateway have been taking place between developers working in the Gateway and the utility companies involved. These discussions are continuing. The Department of Trade and Industry has no provision for the cost of undergrounding lines.
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§ Jon Cruddas
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her strategy is for undergrounding power cables on the major development sites in the Thames Gateway. [160007]

§ Mr. Timms
Undergrounding is one of the options being considered for power lines in the Thames Gateway. Others include re-routeing and keeping lines in situ. The developers working on the major sites in the Gateway are preparing an analysis of those sections of line where they consider undergrounding to be important. As soon as this is available it will be discussed with the various Government bodies involved and the relevant utility companies. This approach will enable a more strategic view to be taken across the Gateway than an approach based on ad hoc consideration of the position on individual sites.