Samson and Goliath anti-pylon fight by 58 councils goes to parilamemnt Tuesday

IN a Samson and Goliath move a report published by a small North Somerset parish council has told one of the largest energy companies in the world it has got its facts and figures wrong.

Government ministers will have an opportunity to hear for themselves early next week about the growing protests in the West Country against proposals to build 37 miles of mega pylons during an adjournment debate secured by Woodspring MP Liam Fox.

Wraxall & Failand Parish Council has told the National Grid in a 77-page submission that its proposals for the overhead power lines is a mistake and that putting the cables subsea is a ‘viable and no more expensive’ alternative.

Parish council chairman Chris Ambrose said: “We have an opportunity for changing the way this country transmits its power.”

National Grid took a ‘take it or leave’ stance when it announced last October it wanted to link a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point near Bridgwater and Avonmouth by a series of ‘super size’ overhead pylons and gave two equally unpalatable land options.

Mr Ambrose said: “We estimate the cost at £661 million for the provision of a high voltage direct current subsea transmission system.”

National Grid priced the route at around £600 million.

The council has shared its hard-hitting report with 57 other town and parish councils along the route inviting comments and/or further information.

It says: “Our report, based upon an independent report, suggests that an undersea route is no more expensive to provide than conventional power lines. We suggest that the undersea route will save lives, reduce global warming, protect property values and safeguard local industry.”

The 10-strong parish council commissioned the independent report to protect its community from the 65ft tall steel structures which would engulf its communities by the end of this decade if permission is granted.

The proposed pylons come within spitting distance of homes, the village church and the village primary school.

The Wraxall & Failand report continues: “The parish council wishes to make it absolutely clear that there is considerable anger and total opposition to either route especially as a better alternative is available…”.

Mr Ambrose is due to make a formal presentation of the report to Dr Fox on Saturday, January 23, at the new community room at Cross Tree Centre at All Saint’s Church.

Dr Fox who chaired the question and answer section of a packed Nailsea meeting with National Grid and joined the new year protest walk said it is the biggest issue to affect his constituents since he was elected in 1992.

He has been granted an adjournment debate in the House of Commons for Tuesday evening, January 19, after making a formal request to the speaker John Bercow.

National Grid publicity blurb says: “We play a vital role in delivering gas and electricity to many millions of people across Great Britain and northeastern US in an efficient, reliable and safe manner.”

Mr Ambrose added: “We are keen to have any information that will add to our knowledge.”

If push comes to shove then Wraxall & Failand say they it would reluctantly chose the west of Nailsea option.

To read its submission in full click here this will redirect you to the resources section of the Save Our Valley website.

To read the submission by Nailsea Town Council click here and scroll halfway down the Nailsea People story.