Consultation dates for the Richborough Connection project will be announced in early 2015, says National Grid.

The community is encouraged to get involved as this will be the last chance to influence plans before they are submitted.

In May this year National Grid announced its draft route for the project which is needed to join the Nemo Link (an electricity link between Belgium and the UK) to the electricity transmission network.

Plans were outlined to build a new high voltage overhead line and remove an existing lower voltage UK Power Networks line.

National Grid project manager Steve Self said: “Projects such as the Richborough Connection play an important role in helping to ensure that people continue to enjoy safe, reliable and economical energy supplies not just for their Christmas celebrations but all year round.

“It’s been a busy year for the project team and we’ve really valued the feedback we’ve had from the local community which together with environmental and technical studies have helped us refine our plans.

“I’m confident that we can deliver something which achieves the right balance between environmental sensitivities and the impact on people’s energy bills.”

The plans have been criticised by Sandwich Town Council for not using underground cables.

For more information on the project and to keep updated on the consultation dates, visit the website at www.richboroughconnection.co.uk.