United against pylons
ANGELSEY has “never been so united”, it was claimed during a public meeting against plans for overhead pylons being built across the island.
Some 38 of its 40 community councils oppose the National Grid’s plans to connect the proposed Wylfa Newydd nuclear plant to the main network, with both the AM and MP, as well as the county council, calling for cables to be placed underground.
The Grid has already unveiled plans for a £100m underwater tunnel to avoid unsightly pylons across the Menai Strait, but has cited increased cost as a reason to avoid undergrounding the whole route from Cemaes to Pentir, near Bangor.
But a public meeting in Llangefni on Friday night saw both residents and political figures condemn the Grid for “not listening to the people of Anglesey.”
Anglesey Council leader, Ieuan Williams, said: “We must fight the National Grid with a united voice, and there’s a general feeling they are running rough- AN AMLWCH based family club received some very important visitors who provided a day to remember.
Cylch Teulu/ Family Circle is a venture for families with a child/individual with a disability to come along and take part in activities such as sports and craft sessions and occasionally parties and trips.
The club, which meets twice a month in Amlwch, is run by volunteers thanks to the help of fundraising, charity events, donations and grants.
Suzanne Griffiths, who set up the club with Emma Jones, said: “Due to the success we have had with such funding we were extremely lucky to be able to provide our club members with a music workshop on November 19 by the National BBC Orchestra of Wales who visited from Cardiff.
“There were two music workshops led by creative musician Andy Pidcock and some members of the orchestra and it was a huge success!
“The families were given the opportunity to play instruments, interact with the orchestra, sing along, dance and have lots of fun! shod over our views.
“The clear option should be to lay the cables underground, as is already happening in other european countries.”
While Dafydd Idriswyn Roberts, chair of the Anglesey One Voice Wales pylon group, said: “The island is speaking with one voice, we simply don’t want these overhead pylons. Anglesey has never been so united on a single issue, and its about time the National Grid accepted that.”
The Grid also came under fire recently for spending up to £500m getting rid of eyesore pylons in the Lake District
“We also all had afternoon tea together and got to know the members of the orchestra. The feedback from the families was brilliant.
“Having the BBC Orchestra come to our little club in Amlwch is an experience we will never forget and hopefully they are coming back sometime next year.”
The club is open to all families with a child/ individual with a disability, their parents/ carer and siblings, with no age limit. They meet on the last 2 Saturdays of each month at Amlwch Leisure Centre 12 - 2pm . £1 per child including refreshments. National Park, while planning to press ahead with unpopular plans to install more of them on Anglesey.
But while Arfon MP Hywel Williams and Anglesey’s Albert Owen both sent messages of support due to being unable to attend Friday’s meeting, the AM gave an update on discussions with a Government body that could influence the Grid’s ultimate decision.
During a meeting with the head of the energy regulator, Ofgem, Rhun ap Iorwerth AM asked him to step in and stop a new row of pylons being built.
Dermot Nolan of Ofgem, which sets the rules for major power transmission projects, was also asked to recognise the cost Anglesey was being asked to pay to provide the rest of the UK with the cheapest possible transmission option.
After the meeting, the AM said: “Whilst Dermot Nolan couldn’t give the assurance we need, he listened and clearly heard the message.
“He made it clear that he has the power to ask National Grid to think again.
“All I’m asking is that National Grid is given the permission to spend more – to make the necessary investment, as they are doing elsewhere.
“The Grid recently announced it’ll spend hundreds of millions of pounds undergrounding cables in the Lake District and other National Parks.
“Well, Anglesey deserves no less. I know we’re not a National Park, but we are a UNESCO Geopark, and are blessed with areas of outstanding natural beauty.”
The Grid’s consultation on the proposals closes on December 16, with Anglesey’s Councillors set to hold a special meeting to discuss their own response on Monday, December 12.
Senior project manager, Gareth Williams, said: “This is likely to be our last consultation so it’s really important people come and talk to us and give us as much detailed feedback as they can.
“We’re really keen for as many people as possible to come and see us, and we have a number of larger events in community halls, a consultation vehicle and pop up events.”