Letter: Why we must fight National Grid's pylon plans

Letter: Regarding the plans for power lines in Mid Wales and Shropshire. I am glad to see the prominence being given to this issue in the Shropshire Star.

It isn't just larger communities like Abermule that are up in arms. More than 70 people from the tiny communities of Trefnanney, Sarnau and Penrhos, all close to the Vyrnwy Valley, got together last week to share information and agree the feedback to send to National Grid about its proposals.

If a substation was built at Cefn Coch, which is an alternative site to Abermule, a power line would run down the Vyrnwy Valley.

This would desecrate the lovely Meifod Valley and damage tourism and farming. There would be no economic benefit, either long or short term, to the communities that would be affected, so no jobs or other opportunities would be created.

So it is not helpful for a councillor from Abermule to ask for the substation to be built elsewhere. Everyone who is potentially affected in Mid Wales and Shropshire needs to stand together and oppose the construction of 50-metre high voltage power lines regardless of where a substation might be built. People are alarmed about the possibility of these power lines running close to where they live.

National Grid has an "undergrounding" option and many people would find this acceptable. It's more expensive but everyone needs to realise that National Grid is not a public utility now; it's a private company making astounding profits.

It is simply not acceptable for people in Mid Wales and Shropshire to pay in terms of reduced quality of life for bright lights elsewhere in the UK and the dividends paid to National Grid's shareholders.

Stella Townsend

Llanymynech