The Norwich to Tilbury project, which would see 159km of new overhead lines between Norwich and Tilbury, faces continued opposition from local officials. Energy minister Michael Shanks said: "Delaying new pylons is not an option because families and businesses pay the price. "It is how we take bill payers away from the mercy of fossil fuel markets that we cannot control. National Grid’s proposals include sections running through the Suffolk countryside, with 21km of underground cabling, part of it through Dedham Vale. "Burying cables underground is around four times more expensive than overhead lines, and it’s billpayers who pay the price."