PYLONS ‘A THREAT TO TOURISM’

CONTROVERSIAL plans to install a new row of overhead pylons on Anglesey have been unanimously opposed.

The National Grid want to connect the proposed Wylfa Newydd plant via a new row of pylons from Cemaes to the substation at Pentir, near Bangor.

But Anglesey Council, both AM Rhun ap Iorwerth, MP Albert Owen and the ‘Dim Peilonau’ pressure group have all been calling for the cables to be buried in order to protect the landscape from further development.

The Grid has appeared to rule this out on the basis of its extra cost, an estimated £650m, but during an extraordinary full council meeting, members urged the Grid to put people before pylons.

Responding to the public consultation that shuts on Friday, members argued that scrapping its current plan was the only way to protect tourism – worth an annual £280m to the economy - and avoid other severe social and environmental impacts on local communities.

The Grid has already unveiled plans for a £100m underwater tunnel to avoid unsightly pylons across the Menai Strait, but Anglesey Council is also heaping the pressure on the grid to instead contribute towards the cost of a new Menai Crossing that could also carry their cables.

Independent member Cllr Richard Dew said the electricity generated would be for the benefit of the whole UK, and would add “only pennies to household bills.”

Plaid Cymru leader Cllr Llinos Medi Huws questioned why the National Grid was spending £500m on removing pylons from the Lake District National Park, while proceeding with unpopular plans to install more on Anglesey.

According to the council’s chief executive, Dr Gwynne Jones, the authority is so concerned over the lack of information on the likely impacts on the landscape and tourism, that it’s now considering its own review into undergrounding.

Dr Jones said: “There is nothing in the National Grid’s consultation documentation to convince us that an overhead connection is justified or necessary. We support the firm views already widely expressed by Anglesey residents and our position remains that the line should be fully undergrounded.

“With sub-sea connection options appearing to have been discounted on financial and technical grounds, the only acceptable alternative is full undergrounding.”

Council leader Ieuan Williams said: “The plan threatens to break the economic backbone of Anglesey – tourism.”

The National Grid’s senior project manager, Gareth Williams, said: “We recognise that some people have concerns and this is your opportunity to provide feedback. If there are ways we can change the proposals to reduce the effects, tell us how and why.”