A FINAL rallying call has been made by a local MP for residents to join an anti-pylon protest.
On New Year's Day John Woodcock will join a special walk organised to protest against pylon construction in the Duddon Valley.
The Barrow and Furness MP has added his voice to calls for National Grid to rethink their plans which he says would "pollute" the natural beauty of the area.
He said: "It has been an honour to team up with the campaign group Power Without Pylons to organise a special January 1 walk in protest at National Grid's plan to pollute this most special part of the Lake District with giant pylons carrying the cables from the new power station being built further up the Cumbrian coast at Moorside."
Since plans were unveiled by National Grid in October detailing how the Moorside power station would be connected to the rest of the UK, fierce opposition has arisen across the South Lakes.
Mr Woodcock said: "What has angered local people most is the way the government has so far been prepared to countenance wrecking the Duddon landscape while bending over backwards to appease the plummy accents of the Friends of the Lake District National Park."
Mr Woodcock was referring to concessions made towards the Lake District National Park, ensuring no pylons would pass through it, at the expense of the Duddon Valley.
To highlight the unhappiness felt by local residents, there are to be two separate walks on January 1, starting in Askam and Broughton, which will make their way to Kirkby.
The Askam group will meet at 9.15am in the car park at the end of Duddon Road; and walkers from Broughton should assemble in the square at the same time.
After arriving in Kirkby there will be a chance to take photos and enjoy some refreshments in the Ship Inn, before a bus service returns the walkers to their starting points.
Mr Woodcock said: "Good exercise, great scenery and a really important cause - what better way to start 2017 and work off a sore head? I hope you can join and please spread the word."
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