‘Unite don’t divide in protesting Energy plans’

 

Organisers were forced to switch the meeting from COBRA Rugby Club to Meifod Village Hall due to the turn-out, but with some already conceding defeat there is a danger that the debate may turn into ‘us or them’ between the Severn and the Vyrnwy Valleys.

 

 

“National Grid and Scottish Power have proposed that the 19-acre substation will be built in either Abermule or Cefn Coch, near Llanfair Caereinion. This means that the 50-metre high pylons which people oppose so passionately would either be routed through the Severn Valley or the Vyrnwy Valley.

 

“At last night’s public meeting in Meifod, which was packed to the rafters, there was defeatist talk among one or two groups that it will happen anyway and it is a case of either ‘here or there’. I have heard similar comments made by protesters to the Abermule plan as well of late. However, the meeting addressed this and encouraged the formation of a united front with some sort of committee to be created between villages from both valleys.”

 

One campaigner, who has fed mywelshpool with regular and reliable information since the plans came to light, confirmed this morning: “This is becoming a concern and it is just what the energy giants want. They want us to be squabbling with each other to detract from the monstrous plans they have for our countryside. People must realise it is not yet set in stone. If we all unite to oppose these plans, no matter where we live in Montgomeryshire, then we can force a public enquiry to have them stopped completely.

 

“Any rivalry between the Cefn Coch and Abermule campaigns is just counterproductive. It has to be one clear voice for Montgomeryshire.”

  

 

In one bid to unite the protest effort, ‘Meifod Against Pylons’ is changing its name to ‘Montgomeryshire Against Pylons’ in order to "reflect the true deographics of our campaign".

 

 

Meanwhile, one candidate running for the Welsh Assembly elections, who attended the meeting last night, said he is making this issue a priority for his campaign and urged people to stand together and fight against any hub or pylons, anywhere in Montgomeryshire.

 

Russell George, the Conservative candidate, said: “Abermule is a thriving growing community and the Vyrnwy Valley is one of Montgomeryshire’s biggest assets. I don’t believe we should have a hub or 400kv line anywhere in Montgomeryshire. If elected to the Welsh Assembly, I will call for a reversal of this disgraceful policy that has designated our area as suitable for large scale wind farm development”

 

 

National Grid and Scottish Power are displaying their plans through local villages and towns this month, and Arddleen is bracing itself for the arrival of the energy consultation roadshow on April 9 at the Community Centre. The local community council is holding an emergency meeting tonight (Wednesday) in order to devise a communications strategy to inform residents. For more information, contact Nicola Watkins on 01938 590010 or nicolawatkins@boysandboden.co.uk.

 

Middletown April 5
Marton April 11
Forden April 14
Montgomery April 19