On 30th April, 2026, Justin Madders, MP sent Peak Cluster an email, which we have included below (at the end of this article).
A reply from Peak Cluster has now been received, and we have included this on the following link:
Peak Cluster Response to Justin Madders MP
See below for the email this was replying to.
David Parkin
Chair
Peak Cluster
Our Ref: EV/ZA73458
30 April 2026Dear David,
Further to the below response, which has been shared with all of our constituents who have contacted us regarding Peak Cluster, we have received responses from a number of our constituents outlining their further concerns with the project relating to details about international contributors to Peak Cluster.
Constituents have attended events in person and online regarding Peak Cluster, including a webinar on 1 April and a community event at Floral Pavilion in New Brighton on 20 April, which were also attended by representatives from Peak Cluster. During these events, constituents report that Peak Cluster representatives confirmed that this project would involve CO2 being imported from the EU and further afield, and that Peak Cluster is receiving funding for this project from multiple overseas investors. We were surprised to hear about the potential importation of CO2 given the likely cost and practicalities of this but would be grateful for your comments on it.
Constituents also raise concerns about the cost effectiveness of the project, highlighting that it is projected to cost up to £5 billion, but that the proportional amount of the UK’s CO2 emissions that would be affected by this project amount to between 1.5% and 0.6%, drawing attention to alternative technologies which are more affordable and efficient at removing CO2 from emissions. Compounding this point are concerns about how this project is being financed, and who would bear financial responsibility for ongoing maintenance of the pipeline. It has been stated by Peak Cluster that the onshore pipeline design life is around 40 years, which could be extended with proper maintenance. Our constituents are concerned that Peak Cluster will pass the financial burden for this maintenance to the taxpayer once the project has finished construction. Can Peak Cluster share at this stage who would bear financial responsibility for this ongoing maintenance and whether alternative methods of decarbonisation are possible?
Longer term concerns have also been raised about when the depleted gas fields are full and sealed, regarding who bears financial responsibility for monitoring CO2 leakages conducting maintenance works, and are again concerned that Peak Cluster plan to pass this financial burden to taxpayers. Is Peak Cluster able to provide these details?
Also, are Peak Cluster able to share what impact assessments or considerations have been made of the emissions, noise pollution, and light pollution that will be released as part of the construction and ongoing use and maintenance of the proposed AGIs and block valve stations, the size of which has also caused considerable concerns for nearby residents. Have Peak Cluster made any such considerations?
Constituents are also raising concerns that they are witnessing what looks to be construction or surveying activity along the proposed pipeline route before the consultation process has ended or entered its second phase. Can Peak Cluster please confirm whether or not this activity is taking place on behalf of Peak Cluster?
Also, constituents are eager to engage with the more detailed next stage of Peak Cluster’s consultation process, and wish for a timeframe for when this is expected to begin has been requested. Are Peak Cluster able to provide this timeframe?
Yours sincerely,
Office of Justin Madders MP”
We have now received a response from David to our email which addresses each of the above concerns in turn. Please find David’s letter attached to this email.
We would welcome your thoughts on his response and the details he provides. Please let us know if you have any further questions or concerns to raise following David’s letter, as we expect to write back to Peak Cluster in the near future and certainly before the next stage of the consultation. We will ensure that any concerns you have to raise are included in our next email.
Also, you may be aware that Justin recently participated in an adjournment debate in the House of Commons Chamber on 15 June regarding Carbon Capture Projects in Cheshire, in which Justin and several other members in the area raised concerns about the project, technology, and the consultation process. You can read the full transcript of the debate and Justin’s contributions here: Carbon Capture Pipeline Projects: Cheshire
The Minister recognised that the National Wealth Fund, which is involved with Peak Cluster, is independent in the decisions it makes, and that his Department has made no funding decisions in respect of Peak Cluster. He confirmed that this project is independent of Government at this stage, and emphasised the importance of Peak Cluster’s clear and open engagement with communities throughout the entire process and that concerns must be heard and acted on. He also addressed issues of public safety in relation to Peak Cluster, which we know has been raised with us by many concerned constituents, and we trust that the comments and examples the Minister gives in his speech will offer some reassurance.
We would welcome your comments on the above but please be assured we will continue engaging with all concerned constituents as extensively as possible for the duration of this project.
Kind regards,
Office of Justin Madders MP
