July 16, 2013
Wales

County leads call to end overhead cables

South Wales Guardian | 16th July 2013 | www.southwalesguardian.co.uk

Carmarthenshire is to spearhead a national campaign against overground cables and pylons being placed as part of a national power grid.

Leader Cllr Kevin Madge will launch a Wales-wide petition against the proposals by Western Power Distribution, with the intention of getting the issue debated at the House of Commons.

The suggestion was made by Deputy Leader Cllr Pam Palmer at a meeting of Council during a debate on a Notice of Motion brought by Opposition Leader Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths.

The motion stated: “That Carmarthenshire County Council finds it totally unacceptable that the proposed Brechfa Forest wind farm(s) National Grid connection should be made via an overhead line supported by wooden pylons. As the Council itself has no statutory power in this matter, we ask the UK Energy Secretary to ensure that the connection cable is laid underground for its entire length.”

Councillors agreed unanimously to support the motion and the national campaign against the overhead pylons.

They argued that they would be detrimental to the environment, to communities, a potential risk to health, a blight to housing and have an adverse effect on tourism in the area.

Members heard that there was no technical reason why the cables could not be laid underground, it was a matter of increased cost for Western Power.

Cllr Madge will now be calling on the Welsh Local Government Association to co-ordinate the campaign and will be asking for the support of the Welsh Government, all Welsh AMs and MPs.

The online petition will sit on the UK Government website. If at least 100,000 signatures are recorded it could be debated in the House of Commons.

Cllr Madge said: “We must campaign at all levels. The UK Government must make policies that are people friendly and not profit friendly.”

Cllr Palmer said: “If we get 100,000 signatures it could be debated in Parliament – and it is that important.”

Cllr Hughes Griffiths said he fully supported the campaign and the petition.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/07/16/county-leads-call-to-end-overhead-cables/