PYLON PRESSURE 2009

Over a year since the end of the eleven month public inquiry into the proposed Beauly to Denny 400kv transmission line, the inquiry report - all six volumes, we are told, have been delivered to Scottish Ministers. The Energy Minister, Jim Mather, will deliver his decision in due course. Meanwhile, we must keep up the pressure to let our elected representatives know that our objections to this overhead line are as strong as ever. (Check www.beaulydenny.co.uk documents on public inquiry.)

For an update on the current action please click on Scotland Before Pylons March 2009.

For an alternative shorter briefing see the Beauly Denny landgroup document.

Check out latest press reports.

Pile on the pressure -  WHAT CAN YOU DO? - Make your views known........

Write to your MSPs and MP about your concerns and request they look into alternative ways of transmitting power, - e.g. underground, subsea, or generate power nearer to the users. Check the contacts page for MP/MSP contact details.  It would be especially useful to contact SNP members as they are the party of government.

New colour 'Objection' postcards can be obtained from the Kiltarlity Post Office or Brockies Lodge, Kiltarlity which you can then send to Highland MSPs and the Energy Minister, Jim Mather. Also write to the press with your concerns and please refer the press to this website.

 

When writing or emailing the MSPs it is best to use your own words but here are some sugggestions for concerns that you could refer to:

Adverse effect on tourism, landscape and recreation of pylons up to 210 feet and seven times the overall size of the present pylons.

The cumulative, negative impact of so many lines and pylons in one area especially close to Balblair substation where massive expansion is planned

Potential health risk - especially to young children and the elderly

Unacceptable threat to property values

Unacceptable effect on protected wildlife and their habitats


Failure by the developer to fully investigate advanced techniques for burying power lines  at lower cost as they pass through communities and sensitive areas

The unacceptable social, economic and environmental price for supplying power to Central Scotland and England

The questionable need for the line upgrade given the alternatives including sub- sea cables

The lack of a national tranmission policy which should research all routeing options and consider of the impact of future multiple lines