NO one in North Somerset can have missed the installation of the new T-shaped pylons.  

Electricity transmission is something on which we all depend and, simultaneously, tend to take for granted. The upgrading of the network is necessary to ensure that we improve the efficiency and resilience of our system.

It will enable us to improve our energy security by bringing in new capacity, such as in the nuclear field, and our renewable capacity by increasing the use of elements such as offshore wind.

At the same time, farmers, homeowners, local communities and individuals should expect to have their rights and interests protected while that programme unfolds, and to be treated fairly and equitably when disputes arise. 

It is the failure of those elements that was behind the introduction of my Private Member’s Bill, which completed its parliamentary stages last week and is now awaiting Royal Assent to become law. As I said in the House of Commons, it was the intransigence of elements of National Grid’s management that led me to introduce the Bill, not only to help my own constituents who are currently affected, but those in other parts of the country who will be affected in future. 

Where disputes arise between one of the world’s most powerful companies and our constituents, it is essential that we have a means of resolving them in a way that is clear, affordable, fair and enforceable.

At the moment, the combination of planning law and current compensation methods hugely favours National Grid and the distribution companies. If they want to put in an access road to install new pylons or for maintenance, they can do so. If people object, their property can be compulsorily purchased. Effectively, National Grid is able to tell people whether or not they will receive compensation and determine how much that compensation will be. 

If people don’t like it, they end up having to go through the court system, which can be hugely expensive, as it has been for some of my constituents. There is not much point in having rights in law if those rights are too expensive to enforce. The aim of my Bill is to redress that problem and ensure binding arbitration that provides fair access to justice.

As I told the Commons, the genesis of the Bill was that one of my constituents went to National Grid and said, “I’m not willing to accept your treatment. I’m going to see my MP.” They were told, “Fine, go and see him: he won’t be able to do anything about it”. One of the great things about being an elected Member of Parliament is that we can do something about it. And on this occasion, we have. 

Dr Liam Fox MP.