Pylons problem posed

Shropshire residents trying to stop massive electricity pylons marching across the countryside could call a referendum at a public meeting tomorrow.

Campaigners have produced an artist's impression of how the huge wooden poles carrying the 132kV line would appear as it crossed land from Oswestry to a sub station near Wrexham.

They have spent months gaining support to try to overturn the plans from SP Manweb, the electricity company.

If enough people turn up at the meeting and vote in favour of a referendum, the local authority will then have to organise a day to allow a poll of local residents to take place.

Campaigners say the electricity line should be buried underground, despite the increased costs. They have also suggested the line run alongside the A4/A483 trunk road for much of its journey from North Wales.

The public meeting is due to be held at St Martins Centre tomorrow at 7pm.

Campaign spokesman, Mac Ozanne, said he believe that many people were unaware that the line would cross the local countryside and they did not realise how dominating it would be."We want the line to go underground and follow the route of the A5/A483," Mr Ozanne said.

SP Manweb wants to construct the wood pole electricity line between Oswestry substation and Legacy, near Wrexham, to increase the capacity of supply and to ensure the security of the power supply to about 80,000 customers.

The first route proposed met strong opposition because it ran through Ifton Meadows nature reserve in St Martins.

The campaign to stop the line ruining the nature reserve, led to power company bosses re-assessing the options.

An alternative for part of the route was put forward, one which runs past the communities of Pont y Blew, Chirk, Glyn Morlas, St Martins and Hindford, near Gobowen.

People from those areas are expected to attend the public meeting tomorrow.

Members of Oswestry Borough Council have already voiced their objections to the proposals and have called for the line to follow the trunk road.