Portsmouth, Hampshire – 12th March 2024
Let’s Stop Aquind was pleased that both Portsmouth’s MPs discussed the case against the Aquind Interconnector at their recent meeting with Defence Minister Luke Pollard. We embrace the views expressed by both our MPs, as they highlighted the national security risks posed by the project, alongside longstanding questions over the funding and ownership of Aquind Limited.
We support the clear message sent by the Ministry of Defence and Naval Base management last year, as they intervened to object to this unwanted project. In our latest submission to the Planning Inspectorate we expressed our concern that Aquind’s lawyers attempted to undermine the stance taken by the MOD, but we are clear that there can be no compromise over national security at the home of the Royal Navy. We also raised ongoing questions around the high-capacity fibre-optic communications network to be installed alongside the power cable, as the core infrastructure for this remains in Aquind’s plans, with the option to activate it in future.
LSA has continuously and consistently highlighted how Aquind would damage, yet bring no benefit to, our city and beyond, so we share the MP’s concerns over the environmental damage, pollution and chaos to residents, visitors and businesses that building the interconnector in Portsmouth would bring. We hope that this latest meeting suggests that a decision by Secretary of State Ed Miliband to refuse Aquind’s Development Consent Order is imminent.
The Aquind Interconnector was blocked by the previous government and is entirely unwanted by Portsmouth City Council and local authorities throughout the proposed route. It is rejected by the people of Portsmouth and the South Downs, their MP’s and councillors of every political stripe from Stephen Morgan to Suella Braverman. Neither Ofgem nor the French power regulator CRE support the project and now it is time to listen to our military, who say clearly that they don’t want it on their doorstep.
Together with our French counterparts Non A Aquind we remain focused on ensuring the Aquind Interconnector is refused once and for all. The city has waited too long – it’s finally time to STOP AQUIND.
Viola Langley and Paula Ann Savage Co-founders Let’s Stop Aquind.
