The Welsh First Minister has pledged to investigate bullying allegations that have seen the fight against power plans in Montgomeryshire turn sour.
Yesterday we revealed that bailiffs acting on National Grid’s behalf had allegedly been abusive whilst delivering forced access notices to residents in Llansantffraid, and later in the day Montgomeryshire Assembly Member, Russell George, urged the First Minister, Carwyn Jones (pictured), to investigate.
Mr George outlined the experience of one 86-year-old woman, who was verbally abused after asking one of the men to show is ID. Mr Jones said he would quiz National Grid on the allegations immediately.
Mr George said: “I welcome the First Minister’s commitment to investigate these disgraceful activities further with National Grid.
“He recently said that the renewable energy industry must engage and work with local communities to deliver long-lasting benefit for those communities hosting wind farms. Are threats and intimidation going to be the level of engagement that the industry is going to subject communities in Mid Wales to until it gets its way?
“When it comes to forcing the infrastructure associated with onshore wind onto reluctant communities it seems to be a case of anything goes and it’s important that the Welsh Government and the Welsh people know what is being done on their behalf.”
National Grid is currently accessing land to conduct a survey for a pylon route that will carry power from wind farms in the planning process to the National Grid connection near Oswestry. The plans are fiercely opposed by Montgomeryshire residents with a mass protest planned at 9am in Welshpool prior to the launch of a nine-month public enquiry on June 4.