Pylons/Turbines and Landscape

From Burham and Highbridge Weekly News

In the shadow of the giant pylons
12:00pm Thursday 24th December 2009

By David Hemming »


A PROSPECTIVE MP for Burnham is calling for a show of solidarity from the community over plans for a new corridor of “super-size” pylons.

LibDem candidate Tessa Munt wants residents in villages surrounding the proposed pylon route to write to applicants National Grid and local MP David Heathcoat-Amory voicing their concerns.

The Weekly News has reported how National Grid has proposed two potential routes for the electricity pylons, which would connect the new Hinkley Point nuclear plant to the electricity transmission system in Avonmouth.

One of the routes would see the pylons pass through East Huntspill, Mark and Wedmore and Mrs Munt is concerned about the size of the pylons and their effect on the local landscape.

She said: “The proposed pylons will be over 152ft high and 60ft wide - to put this in context, I took a photo of scale models of Castle Head House on the A38 at Biddisham and one of the new pylons; then stood in front of the house to show the size of that property.

“People complain about a constant humming emitted from all pylons, particularly these super-sized ones.”

Among Mrs Munt's concerns are the pylons' potential loss of energy, their effect on tourism in the area, and their inability to transport electricity from tidal power.

She added: “Only by demonstrating the strength of public opinion have we any chance of stopping the pylons from marching across our beautiful countryside.”

Tory MP Mr Heathcoat-Amory says the pylons would be “intrusive” on the landscape and is urging his constituents to contact him with their views.

National Grid says the connection would have to be carried out in the most economical and efficient way possible and the two proposed corridors are the only routes which could be built.

A consultation period is taking place until January 8