Welshpool to Cardiff pylons protesters set off
[gallery] Four walkers were today joined by dozens of anti-pylon campaigners waving placards in Welshpool as they set off on a protest march to Cardiff. Four walkers were today joined by dozens of anti-pylon campaigners waving placards in Welshpool as they set off on a protest march to Cardiff. More than 50 people turned out to cheer on the walkers as they left the town centre at 9am. The quartet will spend the next five days marching to the Welsh capital to protest against plans which could see hundreds of pylons being built across Shropshire and Mid Wales. Nick Larder, from Manafon, near Welshpool, who is leading the march, said he was incredibly pleased by the support shown.
Four walkers were today joined by dozens of anti-pylon campaigners waving placards in Welshpool as they set off on a protest march to Cardiff.
More than 50 people turned out to cheer on the walkers as they left the town centre at 9am. The quartet will spend the next five days marching to the Welsh capital to protest against plans which could see hundreds of pylons being built across Shropshire and Mid Wales.
Nick Larder, from Manafon, near Welshpool, who is leading the march, said he was incredibly pleased by the support shown.
"I just can't believe how many people have turned out to support us on our march and we hope we keep attracting support along the way," he said.
"We intend to walk about 25 miles a day and reach Cardiff by Tuesday morning so we can join up with hundreds of other campaigners from Shropshire and Mid Wales who will be arriving by coach."
Mr Larder is being joined by Ifan Davies and Richard Jones, both from Welshpool, and Oili Hedman, from Mochdre, near Newtown.
Supporter Michael Brennan, from Mochdre, said he and his dog Pip, would be accompanying the walkers for the first 10 miles.
"We all feel really strongly about the proposals. We don't want hundreds of pyl-ons and a substation to be built because it will completely destroy the whole area and change the way of life," he said.
John Hughes, of Trefnanney, near Meifod, who was playing his guitar as the walker set off from Welshpool, said his wife Jayne, would be walking to Newtown, to pledge her support.
"This is a major issue and I'm deeply moved by what has happened this morning," he said.
Campaigners against the plans are also planning to carry a coffin covered by a map of Wales outside the Welsh Assembly next week.
The coffin is just one of a number of protests planned for outside the Senedd in Cardiff Bay on Tuesday. More than 25 coaches are taking people to the protest.
National Grid is looking to find a route for a 400,000 volt cable, by using 46 metre high pylons or by routing them underground. Plans also involve building a substation at Abermule, near Newtown and Cefn Coch, near Llanfair Caereinion.
By Anwen Evans
