Pylons proposal branded vandalism of countryside

Campaigners fighting proposals which could see pylons carrying power lines through Shropshire and Mid Wales have described the plans as 'vandalism of the countryside'.

The claim was made by Welshpool resident Carol Jones at a consultation event at the Institute in Llanfair Caereinion last night. Others said they were determined to make sure National Grid knew that people would not take the plans 'lying down'.

National Grid wants to build a substation in Cefn Coch, near Llanfair Caereinion, and use either pylons and overhead cables or underground cables to link the electricity generated to the national supply in Shropshire.

They plan to build a 30-mile long, high voltage power line from Cefn Coch to Lower Frankton, near Oswestry, to take energy from Mid Wales windfarms to the national electricity network.

A spokesman for Montgomeryshire Against Pylons said: "MAP promotes peaceful protesting and we ask that members also adopt this approach. We will not associate with anybody who is verbally or physically aggressive."

Mrs Jones said: "This is vandalism of our countryside and we will not stand for it. This is the last event of this round of consultation and I want to make sure National Grid know we will not take it lying down."

Paul Evans, 46, from Llanfair Caereinion, said: "The strength of feeling is well known and something needs to be done. This is not something we will accept. National Grid will have a fight on their hands."

Paul Crumpstone, from National Grid's project team, said more specific details would be available in the first half of next year once the company has decided which parts of the line should be routed underground.