Daniel Kawczynski MP against power line plans

Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski today said he was "massively opposed" to plans which could see power pylons put up across Shropshire and Mid Wales.

And he said if the proposals from National Grid are given the go-ahead he would be launching a campaign to have the new power lines put underground.

It follows a packed public meeting held recently at Westbury Village Hall, near Shrewsbury, which saw campaigners turning out in force to fight against the proposals.

Communities fighting the plans have set up a page, Montgomery Against Pylons, on social networking page on Facebook.

More than 100 people have joined the group and campaigners hope it will help to unite Montgomery against the National Grid proposals.

Residents are expected to pack two public meetings being held this week over the plans.

Tonight campaigners are holding a meeting at Middletown, near Welshpool, and on Thursday a consultation meeting will be held at Pontesbury Village Hall.

The proposals would see windfarms being built in Mid Wales connected to the National Grid between Oswestry and Shrewsbury through a new 400,000-volt connection between a proposed substation and an existing power line.

Mr Kawczynski echoed concerns raised by campaigners about the impact pylons could have on wildlife and house prices as well as health issues.

He said: "I have huge concerns about the plans for pylons and the impact they will have."

He added: "I am very much opposed to the plans and I will be fighting against them. If they do get the go-ahead I will be starting a campaign to get the power lines placed underground."

Meanwhile, villagers in Middletown are being urged to attend tonight's meeting at 7pm in the village hall.

It comes days after National Grid bosses announced they would be consulting across Mid Wales to find a potential route for the 400,000 volt cable which could involve 85.3ft-high pylons.

A route has not yet been chosen for the line and National Grid has stressed no decision has been made about whether it would go under or overground.

Public consultation on the plans, which include a power station being built in either Abermule, near Montgomery, or Cefn Coch, near Llanfair Caereinion, started last month.

By Sam Pinnington and Anwen Evans