ELECTRIC CHARGE
Impromptu protest against pylons
MORE than 50 people turned out on Monday morning to hold a snap protest against controversial plans for a new row of overhead pylons on Anglesey.
The National Grid’s local substation at Pentir near Bangor was the target as campaigners from across the island expressed their frustration at what was described as the Grid’s “intransigence.”
Opponents have been fighting the proposals for a new line of overhead pylons to connect the proposed Wylfa Newydd nuclear plant, as well as other energy schemes.
The Grid has consistently argued that undergrounding – the preferred option of Anglesey Council as well as the MP and AM – would cost around £1bn compared to around £550m for pylons, with the line to follow broadly the same route as the existing structures.
But according to Dafydd Idriswyn Roberts, of One Voice Wales, the Grid is refusing to acknowledge the “irreversible local impact” of a second row of pylons.
Representing the committee that speaks out for Anglesey’s community and town councils, Mr Roberts said: “Anger towards the National Grid is increasing as it puts cost-cutting and shareholder profits ahead of the massive impact they will have on our economy and environment.
“We have to protest because it’s unbelievable that the planning system in the UK allows a company, tasked with making a profit for its shareholders, and a monopoly to boot, to define the remit of acceptable public consultation.”
He added: “This company has blatantly ignored all democratic feed- back and it’s a disgrace that the Grid is able to exploit weaknesses in the planning system to force a poor rural area like Anglesey to subsidise the transmission costs of energy for the whole of the UK.”
Among those on hand to support the campaign was local AM and MP as well as the leader and deputy leader of Anglesey Council.
Representing the ‘ Anglesey Says NO to Pylons’ campaign, Cheryl Weaver added: “The Grid has still not costed the pylon project in terms of the “cost” to the local community, reduced property values, decline in tourism, and impact on health.
“They’re only paying lip-service to “listening”, so we have to bring the protest to the National Grid site so they can hear our message clearly.
“This is an injustice on a David and Goliath scale, but Anglesey will fight it. I urge all who can, to join us at a public meeting at Tre-Ysgawen Hall tonight (Wednesday June 28) at 7pm.”
A spokesperson for the National Grid responded: “We are a very large business at the heart of meeting huge changes in the way we produce and use energy.
“Our profits are used to raise the money needed up front for the massive investment required, £4.5bn this year alone. The cost is then gradually passed to customers through their electricity bills over the next 30 years or so.
“We are committed to finding the right balance between the impact of our connection projects on the landscape and the impact on customers’ bills.”