Route for high-voltage lines between Ouse Relief Channel and West Winch Common

The final round of public consultation starts today over a proposed route for new overhead electricity lines to serve a planned new power station in King's Lynn.

National Grid has been working with residents, land owners and local authorities over the last two years on identifying a 1.75-mile route for the 400,000-volt cables.

The �8m project would create a connections from Centrica's proposed King's Lynn B power station which would provide three times the amount of electricity than Lynn A which is closing in the next few days.

Centrica, which owns Lynn A, is not likely to make a final decision on building Lynn B until next year, but the planning process for new overhead lines is so long that work has to be carried out before the new station gets the go-ahead.

A preferred route for the cables has been established, the east corridor, and National Grid is set to submit an application for consent later this year. If it is approved work should start in 2014 and last for 73 weeks.

Residents in Watlington are also set to receive individual letters as the village is likely to be used by construction traffic during the project.

There will be northern access route via the A47 but the southern route will be via Watlington which will result in around four extra HGV movements an hour, on average.

Project manager Andrew Connolly said letters would be sent out and villagers are encouraged to take part in the current consultation exercise.

'There will be peaks and troughs in terms of lorry movements and drivers will be advised to avoid key periods, such as rush hour and school-run times. We want to work with the village to ensure disruption is minimised,' he said.

The preferred route, land between the Ouse Relief Channel and West Winch Common, was chosen because it offered the opportunity to site the cables away from individual dwellings and had the lowest risk to migrating birds.

'We have aimed to develop a route that minimises the impact on local people and the environment. Now we would very much like to hear what people think so we can ensure we submit the most suitable route for this line,' said Mr Connolly.

The company is holding drop-in session at the Vancouver Suite, Ramada Hotel, Lynn on Friday, April 20, from 1pm to 8pm. A further session will be held the following day at the William Burt Centre, West Winch, from 10am from 2pm.