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National Grid announces route for controversial network of 100 pylons
Credit: Darren Devine | www.walesonline.co.uk 31 July 2012 ~~
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The National Grid has announced the route a controversial network of 100 pylons will take through the Mid Wales countryside.
The pylons standing up to 154ft high and servicing windfarms in Mid Wales are to go through Llansantffraid, in Powys, to Lower Frankton in Shropshire.
Also Cefn Coch, in Powys, has been identified as the preferred area for a new substation.
Windfarm protestors have said the plans will damage the Welsh countryside, but National Grid insist they have consulted widely before making their decision.
The route through the Vyrnwy Valley will also pass through Meifod and near Four Crosses on its way to Lower Frankton.
In a statement released this morning the National Grid say they listened to feedback from specialist bodies on the effects of a connection in the Powys uplands and changed the route as a result.
The statement said it’s also aware of the sensitivities of placing overhead lines through the Vyrnwy Valley, but warned putting cables underground instead could be difficult due to “engineering and other challenges”.
Jeremy Lee, lead project manager for National Grid, said they are considering using a new award-winning ‘T’ pylon design to minimise the impact on the countryside.
The design is viewed as more elegant and less obtrusive than the conventional steel tower structures.
Mr Lee said: “We’ve been very keen to listen to the feedback from local people, and for it to help shape our plans together with the further work we’ve carried out following our consultation. We believe the substation site and route corridor we’ve chosen will allow us to balance all the things we have to consider.
“We are at an early stage of this project and still have many decisions to make. We will carry on listening to local views and these will play an important role as our plans progress.
“We understand people have concerns about overhead lines, but where they are used, we will work hard to reduce any visual effects by routing the line carefully and using appropriate pylon designs which could include the new T-pylon.”
More follows.
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