Call for rethink over Shropshire and Mid Wales pylons plan

NATIONAL GRID was today accused of being stuck in the 1960s over its plans to build a power station and dozens of pylons across parts of Shropshire and Mid Wales.

Councillor Wynne Jones claims the way in which the company proposes to feed power generated from windfarms in Mid Wales into the national system is old-fashioned.

And he is urging National Grid to look at new technology to find better ways to transport the power.

Councillor Jones, county councillor for the Dolforwyn ward which includes Abermule, one of the proposed sites for the electricity substation, said he was furious about plans to build it there.

He said he had chaired a handful of public meetings over the past week.

Councillor Jones added: "I have attended a public meeting at Marton, where 120 people attended and one in Forden, where 170 people attended in the past week.

"At both meetings, people were hugely opposed to the National Grid's plans to build a substation and huge pylons across the area to link windfarms to the national grid. After looking at the plans myself, I can honestly say I feel they are using technology from the 1960s to bring us power in the 21st century.

"I urge them to rethink these plans immediately and not build a substation in Abermule."

Councillor Jones said there were a number of reasons why he was opposing the plans.

"The first is socio-economic reasons," he said.

"The situation of the hub close to Abermule village and Green Lane rural settlement, together with the proposed power lines into and out of the hub, will discourage people from wanting to live in Abermule and will therefore make property hard to sell, property values will decrease and there will be a severe adverse effect on the economy.

"Secondly, there is the health reasons. There is conflicting evidence on health issues surrounding electricity hubs and large power lines, and therefore it should be desirable to adopt a safe approach."

He said: "We feel strongly that the hub should be sited in a remote area."

National Grid is holding a series of public consultations over the plans until the end of May, including today in Forden.

By Andrew Morris