Residents get look at new power line plans from Mid Wales to Shropshire

National Grid, which is behind the Mid Wales Connection Project, held the first of a series of public drop-in events in Llanfair Caereinion yesterday, with company representatives on hand to answer questions.

The 400kv line will run from a substation near Cefn Coch, Llanfair Caereinion and include 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 is about 15 metres shorter than the usual steel lattice pylons.

Chris Isaac, the National Grid's external affairs manager, said the drop-in sessions, which will continue for about five weeks, are a great chance for people to make their views heard.

He said: "This is the chance for people to come along, view the plans, ask questions or tell us what they think.

"We recently announced that a quarter of the route will go underground through the Meifod Valley and that was a result of us appreciating the beautiful landscape and heritage of the area and also from us listeninng to public opinion at the last set of consultation events.

"Now we want to know what people think of the plans now."

People attending the session yesterday had mixed views of the plans.

Carol Ann Thomas, 42, from Llanfair Caereinion, said: "They have actually taken into account the beauty of the Meifod Valley by burying the cables underground, but that will be a major operation too and will see the ground being dug up.

"I suppose there is no real satisfactory conclusion. The country needs renewable energy, but we don't want out beautiful area ruined."

Trefor Jones, 68, from Castle Caereinion, added: "I am still against the plans. They should not be bringing all this to Mid Wales. It will ruin our land and I am not happy."

National Grid is consulting on its proposals until November 29.

For more information visit www.midwalesconnection.com

Further consultation events:

Llanfair Caereinion Public Institute

• Tuesday 8th October: 2pm-8pm

• Wednesday 9th October: 9am-3pm

Adfa Village Hall

• Wednesday 16th October: 2pm-8pm

• Thursday 17th October: 9am-3pm

• Friday 18th October: 2pm-8pm

West Felton Village Hall

• Tuesday 29th October: 11am-5pm

• Wednesday 30th October: 2pm-8pm

• Tuesday 5th November: 11am-5pm

• Wednesday 6th November: 2pm-8pm

• Saturday 9th November: 10am-6pm

Llansantffraid Community Hall

• Thursday 10th October: 2pm-8pm

• Friday 11th October: 9am-3pm

• Saturday 12th October: 10am-4pm

• Monday 14th October: 11am-5pm

• Tuesday 15th October: 2pm-8pm

Llanymynech Community Enterprise Centre

• Monday 21st October: 2pm-8pm

• Tuesday 22nd October: 2pm-8pm

• Wednesday 23rd October: 9am-3pm

• Thursday 24th October: 9am-3pm

• Friday 25th October: 9am-3pm

Meifod Village Hall

• Thursday 31st October: 3.30pm-8pm

• Friday 1st November: 3.30pm-8pm

• Saturday 2nd November: 9am-3pm

• Thursday 7th November: 1.30pm-5.30pm

• Friday 8th November:1.30pm-7.30pm