Consultation events on power line route

SP Manweb said it is launching stage three of its consultation regarding proposed connections for windfarm developments in Mid Wales.

The company is now seeking to present its suggested line routes to local communities for feedback. SP Manweb will provide an initial 50km of power lines linking 12 proposed wind farms to the National Grid's proposed hub in Cefn Coch, near Llanfair Caereinion.

The hub would then send the power down over and underground power lines through the Meifod Valley and onto Lower Frankton, near Ellesmere, where it will link to the national system. The consultation will run from October 9 to December 6, and SP Manweb will be running a number of exhibitions at locations close to the suggested line routes during these months.

Residents will be invited to attend to ask questions and give feedback on the project, which will help to determine the final route.

Steven Edwards, project manager at SP Manweb said: "All of the feedback and views we have received from local communities so far have helped us to determine the line routes and design for the connections."

He added: "Input from local communities is invaluable, and we hope to hear from as many people as possible again during this round of consultation to help us to establish our final routes."

The 33-mile 400 kv line will run from a substation near Cefn Coch, Llanfair Caereinion and feature eight miles of underground cables through the Meifod Valley near Oswestry.

In other areas, National Grid is proposing overhead lines and will be considering the new T-pylon, which are about 15 metres shorter than traditional steel lattice pylons.

Feedback forms will be available to those attending the public exhibitions, and feedback will also be welcome via the project website (www.spmidwalesconnections.info) and the dedicated project freephone line 0800 9889174.

The consultation events are:

• October 9, 2pm to 8pm – Canolfan Y Banw Community Centre, Llangadfan, near Welshpool

• October 10, 2pm to 8pm – Llanbadarn Fynydd Village Hall

• October 15, 2pm to 8pm – Clatter Community Centre, Caersws

• October 16, 2pm to 8pm – Trefeglwys Village Hall, Caersws

• October 18, 2pm to 8pm – Carno Community Centre, Caersws

• October 19, 10am to 4pm – Llanidloes Community Centre

• October 22, 2pm to 8pm – Dolfor Community Hall, near Newtown

• October 23, 2pm to 8pm – Llandinam Village Hall, near Llanidloes

• October 24, 2pm to 8pm – Llidiartywaen Community Centre, near Llanidloes