MP claims Grid plans would hit communities
Saturday 4th June 2011, 11:30AM BST.
Plans which could see hundreds of pylons built across miles of Shropshire and Mid Wales countryside could invade the landscape and devastate communities, an MP has warned.
Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski said the scale of plans to transmit energy from up to 800 wind turbines in Mid Wales via pylons running from a 19-acre substation was “almost impossible to comprehend”.
He will chair a meeting at Montford Parish Hall on Monday night when a large turnout is expected to question National Grid chiefs about their plans.
In a statement Mr Kawczynski said: “Not even the enemies of Britain over the centuries have wrought such destruction on this part of the UK.
“These new turbines in Mid Wales could be as much as 50 miles from any connection the National Grid, so pylons would invade idyllic landscapes and devastate communities in Wales and beyond.”
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If he’s so concerned about the impact of power transmission pylons, is Mr Kawczynski prepared to forego the use of electricity in his life?
I think we should be told.
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Steve, it’s not a question of these pylons being needed for any purpose other than to take power away from the proposed wind farm.
Someone decided it would be a good idea to site these turbines as far as possible from the existing grid infrastructure. National Grid confirm that only Lands End is further. Just Google it and you can see the map yourself – there is a huge hole in Mid Wales.
It beggars belief that we are considering using thousands of tons of steel and concrete to build miles and miles of 50 meter pylons and a 19 acre hub. The grid extension will emit vast quantities of carbon in materials and construction – when the point of wind farms is supposed to be reducing carbon emissions!
Just build the turbines in any of the hundreds of windy locations within reach of the existing grid and none of this is needed.
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I`l wager that neither Steve Woods nor any of the directors of The National Grid live anywhere near the proposed routes of these pylons. If there is an absolute need for wind generated electricity at all [ and there are grave doubts as to whether wind power is either an adequate or economic solution ] then the cables must be laid underground and the poor old shareholders must , along with the rest of us , bear the additional cost.
As to the siting of the turbines themselves, I would suggest that they try filling the South Coast up with these first and see how the folk down there respond, perhaps that place near Poole where the houses are amongst the dearest in the World might be a good starting point, the people there might be more receptive to the concept than we simple country folk !
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Do not be so silly Mr woods.It all seems ironic to me that something so eco is going to have such a damaging effect on our British countryside . The energy companies make an absolute fortune let them pay to put the cables underground.
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i agree those who dont want electricity should go an live in Africa
I hear the views are amazing in the Congo all lush undeveloped grounds – go for it nimbys off you go
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Sally, I assume then that one of these 150ft pylons is to be build in your back garden, but your social conscience is so strong that you feel it is your duty to support the construction of a pointless grid extension?
This project is equivalent to deciding to build a huge new housing estate 50 miles from the nearest road and then building a new motorway to reach it!
RenewableUK (“The voice of wind and marine energy”) say that the first thing they look for when planning a wind farm is a nearby grid connection. It is a waste of precious resources to site turbines so far from the existing grid and I would oppose this project wherever I lived.
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The anti-pylon people have suggested underground cabling. The work needed for that would be far more damaging to the countryside than a stretch of pylons.
I say put them up and paint them fluorescent pink.
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Perhaps Daniel whatsisname would like to see the entire national grid torn down and Britain go back to local power generation. This is typical Kawczynski political,’vote for me’, rhetoric. “enemies of Britain”..”devastate communities” etc etc. If we want to consume more and more power then perhaps we should have more nuclear power stations. Where will they be sited? Anywhere but not in my back yard!
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i wonder if the advocates of pylons actually live near them .These people are missing the point in an already economically depressed area the tourist industry is vital to the businesses in the rea valley .who would want to come here with pink flourescent pylons reaching out as far as the eye can see
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Some rather weird comments,
So eco friendly ???? is it?? destroy the countryside while you are at it ,as for under ground would be as detrimental don’t be such an idiot.
Argument against underground is money the providers make massive profits make them pay for it.On a final note why would any person want pylons sweeping the countryside apart from the health risks,destroying tourism ,and every other negative point what are the positives it is doubtful we will end up in the dark.The very same people for will I am sure be up in arms when they see the compo figures to land/home/business owners etc.
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I wonder if this MP will be telling people that they can cut down pylons very easily with an angle grinder a stihl chainshaw as the conservative county councillor stated on a Welsh television programme Y Byd ar Bedwar shown on Monday evening.
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Let’s put them underground.
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Devastate communities? How?
I see pylons every single day of my life – why would the sight of such things ‘devastate’ me in any way?
Once again Daniel resorts to childish exaggeration in leaping on yet another bandwagon. Why on earth does anyone vote for him?
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Peter, I think you need to qualify your “I see pylons” remark. How big? (most are much much smaller), On the drive to work or outside your front window?, In a town/city or in what was previously idyllic countryside?
Many people in these communities either moved there to escape such things, or have always lived in an environment that will completely change – and it will change if this goes ahead.
Many miles of road will have to be widened (ripping out ancient hedgerows and destroying wildlife corridors) and gradients altered – they will become routes for HGVs, where previously there were none.
These areas have no amenities or services, no street lights or pavements, no shops or pubs and no public transport – the one thing they do have is unspoiled countryside … and that may now be lost.
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