Shropshire underground power cables 'most expensive option'

Installing underground cables across the Shropshire and Mid Wales countryside to link windfarms to the National Grid would cost hundreds of millions of pounds more than massive overhead pylons, it was claimed today.

Campaigners warned putting hundreds of overhead pylons up would "destroy" an area of outstanding natural beauty, impinge on wildlife habitats and present health risks such as childhood leukaemia.

More than 700 people have signed petitions against the plans by National Grid and have also claimed an ongoing consultation is "seriously flawed".

But Andrew Lee, project manager for National Grid, today said the estimated cost of the scheme going ahead with just overhead pylons was in the region of £200m to £250m.

Many people at the consultation events which have been held in the area have claimed they would not be opposed to underground cables.

But Mr Lee today warned that to dismiss overhead pylons completely would result in a massive increase in the cost of the project.

He said it was not "infeasible" for underground cables to be used but claimed he did not want to "raise expectations".

Mr Lee said: "We have done a technical report that shows potential costs of £200m to £250m if it was overhead pylons all the way.

"To install underground cables would cost hundreds of millions of pounds more," he added.