Grid reveals new pylon plans

National Grid has revealed this morning that it will no longer run its controversial pylon route through the Peniarth Valley and it will spare Meifod by putting cabling underground.

But the energy giant says that it will progress with plans to make the connection through the Vyrnwy Valley, the other option for the route.

The news has been met by a rallying call from protesters who are opposing the construction of new windfarms to the west of Montgomeryshire which will be connected to the Grid in Shropshire by the multi-million pound project.

Montgomeryshire Assembly Member Russell George said: “While I would like to see further details of today’s decision, the announcement comes as no surprise.

“However, even though this route has been discounted, National Grid is still determined to press ahead with the Connection Project and destroy large areas of Montgomeryshire, in the face of community opposition.

“As far as I am concerned, there is absolutely no justification for this project to go ahead and I urge all communities in Montgomeryshire to remain resolute and united in their opposition of the entire project and maintain the campaign to get it stopped.”

National Grid says the final route will be confirmed later in the year and details of where the underground section around Meifod will run depended on further assessment and ground surveys.

Mid Wales Connection project manager Jeremy Lee said: “We’re continuing to work on the best route for the connection. But it was becoming increasingly clear that construction challenges, such as the steepness of the valley, and environmental effects in the Peniarth Valley makes a route through the Vyrnwy Valley a better option to take forward.

“A section of underground cable in the more sensitive areas around the village of Meifod seems appropriate recognising the beautiful landscape and rich cultural heritage.

“We understand people’s concerns about our plan, so we wanted to remove some of the uncertainties by letting everyone know these latest developments now rather than waiting until all of the work on the route has been finished.  We’re committed to continuing to listen to local views as we develop the rest of our plans.”